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National committees

Cancer Council's national advisory committees comprise experts in all facets of cancer control

Cancer Council Australia develops policy and guidelines with the advice of a network of Cancer Council Federation advisory committees, which comprise experts in all facets of cancer control.

There are two principal policy committees, the Public Health Committee and the Supportive Care Committee.  The Public Health Committee has five sub-committees which address issues around cancer screening, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity, occupational cancers; skin cancer; and tobacco.  The Supportive Care Committee has three sub-committees which address all aspects of support from publications to peer support.

Public Health Committee

Chair: Ms Anita Dessaix

The Public Health Committee provides expert advice on policy for improving cancer prevention and early detection in Australia. It leads a number of key activities, such as a biennial behavioural science research conference and is the overarching body for a group of specialised public health subcommittees.

Subcommittees

Reporting through the Public Health Committee, five subcommittees develop national programs, policies and activities and advise on emerging issues in the areas of bowel cancer, general practice, nutrition and physical activity, skin cancer and tobacco control.

Membership comprises staff from state and territory Cancer Councils with additional skills-based appointments.

  • Cancer Screening and Immunisation Committee Chair: Adjunct Professor Karen Canfell
  • Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee Chair: Ms Clare Hughes
  • Skin Cancer Committee Chair: Professor Anne Cust
  • Tobacco Issues Committee Chair: Ms Alecia Brooks
  • Occupational and Environmental Cancer Committee Chair: Professor Tim Driscoll

Supportive Care Committee

Co-Chairs: Ms Melanie Marsh and Ms Danielle Spence

The Supportive Care Committee provides policy advice to Cancer Council Australia to guide its advocacy efforts to improve supportive care for patients, their families and carers. 

Membership comprises of one representative of each state and territory Cancer Council with knowledge of supportive care issues, the Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Council Australia, consumer representative, and Cancer Council Australia representation including the Director of Public Policy and Knowledge Management. Specific expert advice is sought as required through national groups as well as the establishment of expert working groups. Current national subcommittees of the Supportive Care Committee and their Chairs are listed below:

  • 13 11 20 Subcommittee  Chair: Ms Amanda Robertson 
  • Peer Support Subcommittee Chair: Ms Annette Beattie
  • National Cancer Information Subcommittee Chair: Ms Jenni Bruce

The Research Executive Committee

Chair: Professor Joanne Aitken

As the largest non-Government funder of cancer research in Australia, Cancer Council aims to maximise the impact of its research investment on reducing the burden of cancer in Australia and internationally. The Research Executive Committee provides strategic advice to Cancer Council CEOs in order to achieve this aim.

Research Intelligence Sub-committee Chair: Dr Jane Hobson

The Research Intelligence Sub-Committee has representatives from each state and territory with a research grant funding program, ensuring coordinated research administration. The sub-committee undertakes strategic work, and provides advice on improving the provision of, and access to, research intelligence to guide Cancer Council investment and impact insights. 

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