It’s all of us against cancer
No matter where we live, or what our background is, cancer impacts us all. That’s why each voice in our diverse community matters. We’re committed to engaging with all levels of government, public health organisations, sector partners and diverse consumer voices from the wider community to improve equity and access to the best possible treatment and support.
Support for all South Australians
We advocate to ensure all South Australians have equitable access to medical care and support programs to reduce the impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Reducing the risks
We advocate for healthier environments to reduce the risk of cancer for all South Australians. This includes law changes and program funding for proven cancer prevention and early detection screening programs which, along with healthier environments, will reduce the rate and impact of cancer.
Our impact
Our advocacy work has been instrumental in strengthening laws to reduce the rate and impact of cancer in our community. Here’s a snapshot of some of the key policies our advocacy work has influenced.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking is one of the largest causes of preventable death and disease in our community. We’re proud to have advocated for recent changes in smoking and vaping legislation that have contributed to a 28 per cent decrease in vaping rates in young people aged 15-29.
Our efforts to reduce the impact of smoking have led to the implementation of new smoke-free regulations, and the funding of the Tackling Tobacco program to address smoking rates in priority populations across the state.
Switching off solariums
A 2008 study linked solariums with increased rates of skin cancer and melanoma due to exposure to damaging levels of UV radiation, up to six times stronger than the midday summer sun. By 2015, our advocacy work contributed to commercial solariums being banned in South Australia.
Protecting construction workers
It is estimated that 230 Australians will develop lung cancer each year due to silica dust exposure at work. We joined calls for the national ban of engineered stone products to help protect all Australian workers.
Improving access to cancer care for regional people
For many years, we’ve been at the forefront of improving the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), enhancing access to treatment and supports for those in regional and remote South Australia.
Restricting unhealthy food and drink ads on public transport
Seeing unhealthy food and drink ads everywhere makes it harder to make healthy choices. Especially for young people. After conducting a study in 2022 which found almost 80 per cent of the food and drink ads on buses and bus shelters near local schools promoted unhealthy food and drink options, we advocated for South Australia to become the first state to restrict unhealthy food and drink ads on government owned buses, trains and trams as of 1 July 2025.
What we’re advocating for next
We continue to actively engage in advocacy and policy work to improve cancer outcomes for all South Australians. Our submissions to local and state government are evidence-based and aim to influence policy and legislative changes that benefit our community.