Understanding Skin Cancer Booklet
Understanding Skin Cancer Booklet
Understanding Skin Cancer Booklet
Understanding
Skin Cancer
A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
Acknowledgements
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer
Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative. We thank the reviewers of this
booklet: A/Prof Stephen Shumack, Dermatologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and The University of Sydney,
NSW; Dr Margaret Chua, Radiation Oncologist, Head of Radiation Oncology, Skin and Melanoma, Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; John Clements, Consumer; Aoife Conway, Skin Lead and Radiation Oncology
Nurse, GenesisCare, Mater Hospital, NSW; Sandra Donaldson, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Kath
Lockier, Consumer; Dr Isabel Gonzalez Matheus, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Principal House Officer,
Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; A/Prof Andrew Miller, Dermatologist, Canberra Hospital, ACT; Dr Helena
Rosengren, Chair Research Committee, Skin Cancer College of Australasia, and Medical Director, Skin Repair
Skin Cancer Clinic, QLD; Dr Michael Wagels, Staff Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Princess
Alexandra Hospital and Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service, and Senior Lecturer, The University of
Queensland, QLD; David Woods, Consumer. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial
teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
Thanks also to Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre for providing the dysplastic naevus photograph on
page 11, A/Prof Andrew Miller for providing the age spot photograph on page 11, and Prof H Peter Soyer for
providing the other photographs on pages 9 and 11.
Note to reader
Always consult your doctor about matters that affect your health. This booklet is intended as a general
introduction to the topic and should not be seen as a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice. You
should obtain independent advice relevant to your specific situation from appropriate professionals, and
you may wish to discuss issues raised in this book with them. All care is taken to ensure that the information
in this booklet is accurate at the time of publication. Please note that information on cancer, including
the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer, is constantly being updated and revised by medical
professionals and the research community. Cancer Council Australia and its members exclude all liability
for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided in this booklet.
Cancer Council
Cancer Council is Australia’s peak non-government cancer control organisation. Through the eight state and
territory Cancer Councils, we provide a broad range of programs and services to help improve the quality of
life of people living with cancer, their families and friends. Cancer Councils also invest heavily in research and
prevention. To make a donation and help us beat cancer, visit cancer.org.au or call your local Cancer Council.
Cancer Council Australia Level 14, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 91 130 793 725
Telephone 02 8256 4100 Email [email protected] Website cancer.org.au
About this booklet
This booklet has been prepared to help you understand more about the
two most common types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These skin cancers are often called
non-melanoma skin cancer or keratinocyte cancer. For information
about melanoma, see our Understanding Melanoma booklet.
Many people feel shocked and upset when told they have skin cancer.
We hope this booklet will help you, your family and friends understand
how early skin cancer is diagnosed and treated.
We cannot give advice about the best treatment for you. You need to
discuss this with your doctors. However, this information may answer
some of your questions and help you think about what to ask your
treatment team (see page 36 for a question checklist).
This booklet does not need to be read from cover to cover – just read
the parts that are useful to you. Some medical terms that may be
unfamiliar are explained in the glossary (see page 37 ). You may also
like to pass this booklet to family and friends for their information.
The skin 6
Key questions 8
What is skin cancer? 8
What types are there? 8
What are the signs of non-melanoma skin cancer? 9
What about other skin spots? 10
What causes skin cancer? 12
Who is at risk? 12
How common is skin cancer? 13
How do I spot a skin cancer? 15
Which health professionals will I see? 15
Diagnosis 17
Physical examination 17
Skin biopsy 17
Staging 18
Prognosis 18
Treatment 22
Surgery 22
Curettage and electrodesiccation 24
Cryotherapy 25
Topical treatments 25
Photodynamic therapy 27
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) 27
Life after treatment 30 Key to icons
Will I get other skin cancers? 30 Icons are used
throughout this
Understanding sun protection 30 booklet to indicate:
How to protect your skin from the sun 32
Changes to your appearance 34
More information
Seeking support 35
Tips
Useful websites 35
Question checklist 36
Glossary 37
Normally, cells multiply and die in an orderly way, so that each new
cell replaces one lost. Sometimes, however, cells become abnormal and
keep growing. These abnormal cells may turn into cancer.
In solid cancers, such as skin cancer, the abnormal cells form a mass
or lump called a tumour. In some cancers, such as leukaemia, the
abnormal cells build up in the blood.
Malignant cancer
Cancer cells
break away
Cancer cells
travel to lymph
nodes and
other parts
of the body
(metastasis)
What is cancer? 5
The skin
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It acts as a barrier to protect
the body from injury, control body temperature and prevent loss of body
fluids. The two main layers of the skin are the epidermis and dermis.
Epidermis
The epidermis is the top, outer layer of the skin. It contains three main
types of cells:
Squamous cells – These flat cells are packed tightly together to make
up the top layer of skin. They form the thickest layer of the epidermis.
Basal cells – These block-like cells make up the lower layer of the
epidermis. The body makes new basal cells all the time. As they age,
they move up into the epidermis and flatten out to form squamous
cells. The basal cells sit on a very thin layer of tissue (the basement
membrane) that separates the epidermis from the rest of the body.
Melanocytes – These cells sit between the basal cells and produce a
dark pigment called melanin that gives skin its colour. When skin is
exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, melanocytes make melanin to try
to protect the skin from getting burnt. Melanocytes are also found in
non-cancerous spots on the skin called moles or naevi (see page 10).
Dermis
This layer of the skin sits below the epidermis. The dermis is made up
of fibrous tissue and contains the roots of hairs (follicles), sweat glands,
blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. All of these are held in place by
collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin its strength and elasticity.
Melanocytes Hair
Squamous
cells
Epidermis
Basal cells
Basement
membrane 2– 4 mm
Nerve Dermis
Sweat gland
Hair follicle
Lymph vessel
Muscle layer
The skin 7
Key questions
Q: What is skin cancer?
A: Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) – the most common type (about 66% of
skin cancers), starts in the basal cells of the skin.
BCC usually grows slowly over months or years and only rarely
spreads to other parts of the body. If left untreated, some BCCs can
grow deeper into the skin, invade nerves and damage nearby tissue,
making treatment more difficult. Having one BCC increases the risk
of getting another. There can be more than one BCC at the same time
on different parts of the body.
SCCs can grow quickly over several weeks or months. Some are
found only in the top layer of the skin. These are called SCC in situ,
intra-epidermal carcinoma or Bowen’s disease. If SCC invades
through the basement membrane (see pages 6– 7) it is called invasive
SCC. If left untreated, this can spread to other parts of the body
(metastatic SCC). SCC on the lips and ears is more likely to spread.
Key questions 9
Rare types of non-melanoma skin cancer include Merkel cell
carcinoma and angiosarcoma. They are treated differently from
BCC and SCC. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
Sunspot
Mole
Dysplastic naevus
Age spot
Key questions 11
Q: What causes skin cancer?
A: Over 95% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation.
When unprotected skin is exposed to UV radiation, how the cells
look and behave can change.
UV radiation most often comes from the sun, but it can also come
from artificial sources, such as arc welders, glue curing lights
(e.g. for artificial nails) and solariums (also known as tanning beds
or sun lamps). Solariums are now banned for commercial use in
Australia because research shows that people who use solariums
have a much greater risk of developing skin cancer.
You can’t always see sun damage to the skin – it can start long
before you get sunburnt or develop a tan, and the damage adds up
over time. To better understand how to protect your skin from the
sun and prevent skin cancer, see pages 32–33.
Q: Who is at risk?
A: Anyone can develop skin cancer but it’s more common as you age.
Many factors can increase your risk of skin cancer, including having:
• pale or freckled skin, especially if it burns easily and doesn’t tan
• red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes (blue or green)
• unprotected exposure to UV radiation, particularly a pattern of
short, intense periods of sun exposure and sunburn, such as on
weekends and holidays
People with olive or very dark skin have more protection against
UV radiation because their skin produces more melanin than fair
skin does. However, they can still develop skin cancer.
Key questions 13
How to check your skin
In a room with good light, undress completely and use a full-length mirror
to check your whole body. To check areas that are difficult to see, use a
handheld mirror or ask someone to help you.
Legs
If you notice any changes to your skin, make an appointment with your
GP or dermatologist straightaway (see opposite page). You will have a
better outcome if the skin cancer is found and treated early. For more
information on checking your skin, visit sunsmart.com.au/skin-cancer/
checking-for-skin-cancer.
Key questions 15
Surgeon – Some skin cancers are treated by specialised surgeons:
• surgical oncologists specialise in treating cancer with surgery;
they manage complex skin cancers, including those that have
spread to the lymph nodes
• plastic surgeons are trained in complex reconstructive techniques
for more difficult to treat areas, e.g. the nose, lips, eyelids and ears.
Skin biopsy
If the doctor feels they can diagnose the skin cancer by examining the
spot, you may not need any further tests before having treatment (see
pages 22–29). However, it’s not always possible to tell the difference
between a skin cancer and a non-cancerous skin spot just by looking
at it. If there is any doubt, the doctor may need to take a tissue sample
(biopsy) to confirm the diagnosis.
Stitches may be used to close a larger wound and help it heal. All tissue
that is removed is sent to a laboratory, where a pathologist will examine
it under a microscope. The results will be available in about a week.
If all the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue (see page 22) are
removed during the biopsy, this may be the only treatment you need.
Diagnosis 17
Can smartphone apps help detect skin cancer?
Some smartphone apps let you However, research shows apps
photograph your skin at regular cannot reliably detect skin cancer
intervals and compare the photos and should not replace a visit to
to check for changes. These apps your GP or dermatologist. If you
may be a way to record any spot you notice a spot that causes you
are worried about or remind you to concern, make an appointment
check your skin. with your doctor straightaway.
Staging
The stage of a cancer describes its size and whether it has spread. BCCs
rarely need staging because they don’t often spread or have other high-
risk features. Only a very small number of SCCs require staging. This
may be because of where the SCC is, its size or because it has spread.
Prognosis
Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. Your treating
doctor is the best person to talk to about your prognosis. Most BCCs
and SCCs are successfully treated, especially when found early.
Being told you have cancer can come as a shock and you may feel
many different emotions. If you have any concerns or want to talk to
someone, see your doctor or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
Main tests • Your doctor will examine your skin and any unusual
spots. They may use a magnifying instrument called
a dermoscope to look at the spots more closely.
• Sometimes a biopsy is used to work out if the spot
is cancerous. Tissue is removed and examined
under a microscope. You may have stitches to close
up the wound.
• An excision biopsy may be the only procedure
needed to remove skin cancer.
Diagnosis 19
Making treatment
decisions
Skin cancers may be treated by GPs, dermatologists, surgeons and
radiation oncologists. For information on these health professionals,
see pages 15–16.
Record the details – Many people like to take a relative or friend with
them to appointments to join in the discussion, write notes or simply
listen. If you would like to record the discussion, ask your doctor first.
It’s your decision – Adults have the right to accept or refuse any
treatment offered by doctors and other health professionals.
Get support – If you have a partner, you may want to discuss the
treatment options with them. Talking to friends and family, or to
Your doctor can refer you to another doctor and send your initial results
to that person. You can get a second opinion even if you have started
treatment or still want to be treated by your first doctor. You might
decide you would prefer to be treated by the doctor who provided the
second opinion.
If the excision biopsy (see page 17) removed all the cancer, you may
not need any further treatment.
Surgery
Surgery to remove the cancer (surgical excision) is the most common
treatment for invasive BCC and SCC. Most small skin cancers are
removed by a GP or a dermatologist in their consulting rooms. A
surgeon may treat more complex cases.
The doctor will inject a local anaesthetic to numb the affected area,
then cut out the skin cancer and some nearby normal-looking tissue
(margin). The recommended margin is usually between 2 mm and
10 mm depending on the type and location of the skin cancer.
A pathologist checks the margin for cancer cells to make sure the
cancer has been completely removed. The results will be available in
about a week. If cancer cells are found at the margin, you may need
further surgery or radiation therapy.
▶ See our Understanding Surgery booklet.
This procedure is done in stages. The doctor removes the cancer little
by little and checks each section of tissue under a microscope. They
keep removing tissue until they see only healthy tissue under the
microscope. Mohs surgery aims to reduce the amount of healthy skin
that is removed with the cancer.
Only some skin cancers are suitable for Mohs surgery. This technique
costs more than other types of surgery. Special equipment and training
are needed so it’s available only at some hospitals or clinics.
Treatment 23
Repairing the wound
Most people will be able to have the wound closed with stitches. You will
have a scar. This should be less noticeable over time. The area around
the excision may feel tight and tender for a few days.
If you have a large skin cancer removed, your doctor will talk with you
about what type of reconstruction is suitable for your wound. There are
two main ways to do this:
• skin flap – nearby loose skin and underlying fatty tissue is moved
over the wound and stitched
• skin graft – a piece of skin is removed from another part of the body
(called the donor site) and stitched over the wound. The donor site may
be stitched closed, or it may be dressed and allowed to heal by itself.
Skin flaps and grafts may be performed in the doctor’s office but are
sometimes done as day surgery in hospital under a local or general
anaesthetic. The affected area will heal over a few weeks.
The doctor will give you a local anaesthetic and then scoop out the
cancer using a small, sharp, spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, or cryosurgery, is a procedure that uses extreme
cold (liquid nitrogen) to remove sunspots, some small BCCs and
SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease).
The treated area will be sore and red. A blister may form within a day.
A few days later, a crust will form on the wound. The dead tissue will
fall off after 1–6 weeks, depending on the area treated. New, healthy
skin cells will grow and a scar may develop. The healed skin will
probably look paler than the surrounding skin.
Topical treatments
Some skin spots and superficial skin cancers can be treated with creams
or gels that you apply to the skin. These are called topical treatments.
They may contain immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs, and are
prescribed by a doctor. Only use these treatments on the specific spots
or areas that your doctor has asked you to treat. Don’t use leftover
cream on spots that have not been assessed by your doctor.
Treatment 25
Immunotherapy cream
A cream called imiquimod is a type of immunotherapy that causes the
body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells.
Within days of starting imiquimod, the treated skin may become red,
sore and tender to touch. The skin may peel and scab over before it
gets better. Some people have pain or itching in the affected area,
fever, achy joints, headache and a rash.
If you experience any of these more serious side effects, stop using
the cream and see your doctor immediately.
Chemotherapy cream
A cream called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a type of chemotherapy
drug. It is used to treat sunspots and, sometimes, SCC in situ
(Bowen’s disease).
5-FU works best on the face and scalp. Your GP or dermatologist will
explain how to apply the cream and how often. Many people use it
twice a day for 2–3 weeks. It may need to be used for longer for some
skin cancers.
While using the cream, your skin will be more sensitive to UV radiation
and you will need to stay out of the sun. The treated skin may become
red, blister, peel and crack, and feel uncomfortable. These effects will
usually settle within a few weeks of treatment finishing.
After gently scraping the area to remove any dry skin or crusting, the
doctor applies a cream to the skin. After three hours, light is shined
onto the area for about eight minutes. The area is covered with a
bandage. For skin cancers, PDT is usually repeated 1–2 weeks later.
Side effects can include redness and swelling, which usually ease after
a few days. PDT commonly causes a burning, stinging or tender feeling
in the treatment area, particularly to the face. Your doctor may treat
these side effects with a cold water spray or pack, or give you a local
anaesthetic to help ease any discomfort.
Treatment 27
separate planning session so the radiation therapy team can work out
the best position for your body during treatment. Your treatment will
usually start within a couple of weeks of this appointment. During each
treatment session, you will lie on a table under the radiation machine.
Once you are in the correct position, the machine will rotate around you
to deliver radiation to the area containing the cancer. The entire process
can take 10–20 minutes, but the treatment itself takes only a few minutes.
Your treatment plan will depend on the type, size and position of the
cancer, and your overall health and wellbeing. This means that the
number of treatments can vary. Some people will have five sessions
a week for several weeks, others may have a much shorter course.
Skin in the treatment area may become red, dry and sore 2–3 weeks
after treatment starts. This soreness may get worse after treatment has
finished but it usually improves within six weeks. The treatment team
will recommend creams to use to make you more comfortable.
▶ See our Understanding Radiation Therapy booklet.
How surgery is done • The doctor will cut out the cancer and close
the wound with stitches.
• During Mohs surgery the surgeon removes
layers of cells and checks them under a
microscope immediately.
• For larger wounds, the doctor may use skin
from another part of the body (flap or graft)
to cover the wound.
• Curettage and electrodesiccation (cautery) is
when the doctor removes the cancer with a
small, sharp tool called a curette. Heat is then
applied to stop the bleeding and destroy any
remaining cancer cells.
Treatment 29
Life after treatment
Will I get other skin cancers?
After treatment, you will need regular check-ups to confirm the cancer
hasn’t come back and to look for new skin cancers. People who’ve had
skin cancer have a higher risk of developing more skin cancers.
It’s important to prevent further damage to your skin. For ways to make
sun protection a part of your lifestyle, see pages 32–33.
It’s also important to check your skin regularly and to visit your doctor
to develop a follow-up plan. Ask your doctor how often you need to
have full skin checks.
The UV Index shows the intensity of the sun’s UV radiation. It can help
you work out when to use sun protection. An index of 3 or above means
that UV levels are high enough to damage unprotected skin, and you
need to use more than one type of sun protection.
The recommended daily sun protection times (see page 33) are the
times of day the UV levels are expected to be 3 or higher. The daily
sun protection times will vary according to where you live and the
time of year.
The body can absorb only a set amount of vitamin D at a time. Getting
more sun than recommended does not increase your vitamin D levels,
but it does increase your skin cancer risk. Most people get enough
vitamin D through incidental exposure to the sun, while still using sun
protection. When the UV Index is 3 or above, this may mean spending
just a few minutes outdoors on most days of the week.
After a diagnosis of skin cancer, talk to your doctor about the best ways
to get enough vitamin D while reducing your risk of developing more
skin cancers. Your doctor may advise you to limit your sun exposure as
much as possible. In some cases, this may mean you don’t get enough
sun exposure to maintain your vitamin D levels. Your doctor may tell
you to take a supplement.
Slide on sunglasses
CAIRNS ALERTS
SUN PROTECTION
RECOMMENDED
8:10 4:10
TO
AM PM
You may worry about how the scar looks, especially if it’s on your
face. Various cosmetics are available to help cover scarring. Your
hairstyle or clothing might also cover the scar. Talk to your doctor
about treatments that can help improve the appearance of scars.
Australian
Cancer Council Australia cancer.org.au
Cancer Council Online Community cancercouncil.com.au/OC
Cancer Council podcasts cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts
Guides to Best Cancer Care cancer.org.au/cancercareguides
Bureau of Meteorology bom.gov.au
Cancer Australia canceraustralia.gov.au
Carer Gateway carergateway.gov.au
Department of Health health.gov.au
Healthdirect Australia healthdirect.gov.au
Melanoma Institute Australia melanoma.org.au
My UV (SunSmart Cancer Council WA) myuv.com.au
Services Australia servicesaustralia.gov.au
SunSmart sunsmart.com.au
The Australasian College
dermcoll.edu.au
of Dermatologists
International
American Cancer Society cancer.org
Cancer Research UK cancerresearchuk.org
Macmillan Cancer Support (UK) macmillan.org.uk
National Cancer Institute (US) cancer.gov
Skin Cancer Foundation (US) skincancer.org
Seeking support 35
Question checklist
Asking your doctor questions will help you make an informed choice. You
may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.
Diagnosis
• What is this spot on my skin?
• Will I need a biopsy or excision?
• What is my biopsy result? Do I have skin cancer?
• What type of skin cancer is it?
• Did the biopsy or excision remove all the skin cancer?
• Are there clinical guidelines for this type of cancer?
Treatment
• Do I need further treatment? If so, what treatment do you recommend?
• Do I need to see a specialist?
• I’m thinking of getting a second opinion. Can you recommend anyone?
• How long will treatment take?
• If I don’t have the treatment, what should I expect?
• How much will the treatment cost? Is it covered by Medicare?
Side effects
• Will I have a lot of pain? What will be done about this?
• Will there be any scarring after the skin cancer has been removed?
• When will I get my results and who will tell me?
After treatment
• Is this skin cancer likely to come back?
• How often should I get my skin checked?
• Where can I go for follow-up skin checks?
• Will I need any further tests after treatment is finished?
• How can I prevent further skin cancers?
Glossary 37
non-melanoma skin cancer
lesion Skin cancer that doesn’t develop from
An area of abnormal tissue. the melanocytic cells, e.g. basal cell and
liquid nitrogen squamous cell carcinomas. Also called
A substance that is applied to the skin to keratinocyte cancer.
freeze and kill abnormal skin cells.
lymphatic system pathologist
A network of vessels, nodes and organs that A specialist doctor who interprets the
removes excess fluid from tissues, absorbs results of tests (such as biopsies).
fatty acids, transports fat and produces photodynamic therapy (PDT)
immune cells. A type of cancer treatment using a cream or
lymph nodes solution applied to the skin that is activated
Small, bean-shaped structures found in by intense light.
groups throughout the body. They help plastic surgeon
protect the body against disease and A surgeon who has had specialist training
infection. Also called lymph glands. in performing surgery that restores,
repairs or reconstructs the body’s
melanin appearance and function. Also known
Dark pigment produced in melanocytes as a reconstructive surgeon.
that gives skin its colour.
melanocyte radiation oncologist
One of the three main types of cells that make A doctor who specialises in treating
up the top layer of the skin. Melanocytes cancer with radiation therapy.
produce a skin pigment called melanin. radiation therapy
melanoma The use of targeted radiation to kill or damage
Cancer of the melanocytes. cancer cells so they cannot grow, multiply or
Merkel cell spread. The radiation is usually in the form of
A type of cell in the top layer of the skin. x-ray beams. Also called radiotherapy.
metastatic skin cancer
Skin cancer that has spread from the skin to skin flap
other areas of the skin or body. A procedure where nearby loose skin and
Mohs surgery underlying fatty tissue is moved over the
Specialised surgery to remove skin cancers wound left by the removal of a skin cancer
one segment at a time until only healthy and stitched. A flap keeps its blood supply.
cells remain. skin graft
mole A procedure where a layer of skin is
See naevus. removed from one part of the body and
fixed over the wound left by the removal
naevus (plural: naevi) of a skin cancer. A graft does not have
A dark spot on the skin that arises from its own blood supply.
skin cells called melanocytes. Also called solar keratosis (plural: keratoses)
a mole. See sunspot.
References
1. Cancer Council Australia Keratinocyte Cancers Guideline Working Party, Clinical Practice
Guidelines for Keratinocyte Cancer, Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, viewed 13 July 2021,
available from wiki.cancer.org.au/australia/Guidelines:Keratinocyte_carcinoma.
2. Cancer Council Victoria and Department of Health Victoria, Optimal Care Pathway for
People with Keratinocyte Cancer (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma),
second edition, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, 2021.
3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Skin Cancer in Australia, AIHW,
Canberra, 2016.
4. Services Australia, Medicare Item Reports, Services Australia, Canberra, 2020, viewed
3 November 2021, available from medicarestatistics.humanservices.gov.au/statistics/
mbs_item.jsp.
Glossary 39
How you
can help
At Cancer Council, we’re dedicated to improving cancer control. As
well as funding millions of dollars in cancer research every year, we
advocate for the highest quality care for cancer patients and their
families. We create cancer-smart communities by educating people
about cancer, its prevention and early detection. We offer a range of
practical and support services for people and families affected by
cancer. All these programs would not be possible without community
support, great and small.
To find out more about how you, your family and friends can help,
please call your local Cancer Council.