National Media Spokespeople

Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Council Australia
MB BS, MD, PhD, CMin, FRACP, MRACMA, FAChPM

As Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Council Australia, Professor Ian Olver brings to the job a quarter of a century of experience and expertise as a medical oncologist and researcher, in Australia and abroad.

A former Chair of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia and Cancer Council Australia’s Medical and Scientific Committee, Professor Olver was appointed CEO of Cancer Council Australia in May 2006, having previously headed the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre.

Professor Olver’s expertise is widely sought across the sector and by government. He is a member of the Advisory Council for Cancer Australia (the Federal Government’s cancer control agency) and the Board of the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, a number of grants and ethics committees and holds several honorary academic and clinical posts.

A regular commentator on cancer issues in Australia and internationally, Professor Olver has appeared on television news, current affairs and breakfast programs on all networks, as well as radio, in major newspapers and magazines, and medical media.

For an interview with Professor Ian Olver, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.

Scientific Advisor
MSc PhD FRACI DipLaw

Professor Stewart is an internationally recognised expert in all aspects of environmental carcinogenesis (cancer causation), including the investigation of cancer clusters and medico-legal aspects of tobacco smoke-induced cancer.

He has had extensive advisory involvement with International Agency for Research on Cancer and co-edited the World Cancer Report for the World Health Organisation. In 2008 Professor Stewart published a new approach to qualitative assessment of carcinogenic risks.

A member of the Council of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia and an advisor to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, Professor Stewart has had a close association with Cancer Council Australia for more than 25 years. Currently, he is a member of the Editorial Board of the Council’s professional journal Cancer Forum.

For an interview with Professor Bernard Stewart, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.

Chair, Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee
BSc, M Nutr & Diet

Kathy Chapman is one of the Cancer Council’s experts on diet, obesity, physical activity and cancer risk.  Kathy is an accredited practising dietitian with a Masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and over 16 years experience working in nutrition, in both public health and clinical settings.

As the Nutrition Program Manager at the Cancer Council NSW, where she has worked since 2002, Kathy has responsibility for developing the Cancer Council’s positions, policies and programs related to nutrition.  Kathy is also a member of the Advisory Group for Parents Jury and chairs the Coalition on Food Marketing to Children. 

A regular commentator on obesity control issues, particularly food marketing to children.  Kathy is undertaking her PhD on food costs.

For an interview with Kathy Chapman, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.

Chair, Occupational and Environmental Cancer Risk Committee

Terry Slevin is one of the Cancer Council’s foremost experts on public health research and health promotion.

Mr Slevin is a regular media commentator on cancer issues from the causes and early detection of cancer, to broader chronic disease prevention issues including nutrition, physical activity, weight control, alcohol and sun protection. He recently published a series of 15 articles on cancer myths.

Director, Education and Research at The Cancer Council WA where he has worked since 1994, Mr Slevin holds a Masters in Public Health and an Honours degree in Psychology. He is honorary Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Curtin University and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control and was previously Vice President of the Public Health Association.

Founding chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee, Mr Slevin has recently taken on the role of Chair of the Cancer Council’s Occupational and Environmental Cancer Risk Committee.

For an interview with Terry Slevin, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.

Chair, Bowel Cancer Screening Committee

Alison has 12 years experience in cancer control, leading state and national activity. Her roles as Chair of the Cancer Council Australia's national Bowel Cancer Screening Committee and on the Australian Government's Bowel Cancer Program Advisory Group, have given her significant experience in bowel cancer screening.

At the Cancer Council Victoria she manages a diverse range of cancer education programs for health professionals and the community, including the Bowel Cancer Early Detection Program. Her areas of interest include multicultural education and the role of general practitioners in cancer prevention.

For an interview with Alison Peipers, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.

Chair, National Skin Cancer Committee

Craig Sinclair is one of Australia’s leading experts on skin cancer prevention.

Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s National Skin Cancer Committee,  Mr Sinclair heads the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Collaborative Centre for the Promotion of Sun Protection and is Director of Cancer Education at The Cancer Council Victoria.

A regular media commentator on skin cancer and sun protection, Mr Sinclair has provided advice to health authorities in Australia and internationally on public health issues, including the UK Home Office and Health Education Authority, the Canadian Cancer Society and the World Health Organisation.

He is an author of a number of WHO publications including the Local Authorities Guide on UV Radiation and Health and the Risks and Guidance Note on Artificial Tanning Sunbeds.

For an interview with Craig Sinclair, please contact Cancer Council Australia's Media Manager on (02) 8063 4153.