Media releases

Cancer Council welcomes landmark US ruling on gene patents

14 June 2013

The US Supreme Court’s ruling that human genes cannot be patented provides a clear precedent for the Australian Government to change the Patents Act, Cancer Council Australia said today. Cancer Council CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said the ruling – on the fundamental premise that the genetic materials were not inventions – provided long-awaited clarity for Australian policy makers.

Exercise benefits people with cancer

15 November 2012

Brisbane: A South Australian study has shown structured exercise programs for people with cancer not only improve physical functions such as aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility, but also reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.

Social stigma adds to lung cancer patient ‘distress’

15 November 2012

Brisbane: Patients with lung cancer and their families need psychological support to cope with the range of challenges they face, a scientific conference of cancer experts will be told today (15/11).

Obese women lower survival rates for ovarian cancer

14 November 2012

The survival rate for obese women with ovarian cancer is almost 20 per cent worse than for women with a healthy weight, a conference of cancer experts in Brisbane will be told today (14/11).

Pancreatic cancer patients suffering treatable symptoms in silence

14 November 2012

Many patients with pancreatic cancer experience severe digestive problems that significantly impact their quality of life, a conference of cancer experts in Brisbane will be told today (14/11).

Indigenous Australians missing out on genetic services

14 November 2012

There is a misconception in the medical community that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not interested in genetic services, according to research to be presented to the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane today (14/11).

Combined melanoma treatment may be model for treating other cancers

14 November 2012

Brisbane: Two types of treatment for cancer are being trialed together for the first time on patients with melanoma, a scientific conference of cancer experts will be told today (14/11).

Patient access to new cancer drugs at risk

14 November 2012

Brisbane: New research shows the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is facing enormous cost pressures from an increasing number of expensive cancer drugs, many of which only marginally increase median survival.

Radiation therapy uptake falling way below gold standard

13 November 2012

Brisbane: Over half of cancer patients would benefit from radiation therapy at some point in the course of their disease, however research due to be presented today (13/11) at a conference of cancer experts shows only 29% of patients are receiving the treatment.

Patients missing out on benefits of complementary therapies due to doctors’ lack of knowledge

13 November 2012

Brisbane: Patients are being denied complementary therapies that may improve their quality of life due to a lack of knowledge by health professionals, a conference of cancer experts will be told today (13/11).