Where to now: Our Here For Change Election Campaign

Research from The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney predicts that over the next 25 years, around 1.52 million people in NSW will be diagnosed with cancer and 1 in 3 of those diagnosed will die. There has never been a more important time to support those impacted by cancer in the NSW community. Our Here for Change campaign detailed the government’s required support in areas related to cancer prevention, early detection and people’s health and wellbeing after diagnosis and treatment. We developed comprehensive policy proposals backed by emerging evidence and prioritising interventions that reduce the impact of cancer across the population. 

What we were advocating for 

Earlier this year, we called on the NSW Government to protect life’s moments and commit to be Here for Change through our four election priorities: 

1. Invest in cancer prevention – so more people can live a cancer free life 

2. Improve early detection and diagnosis of bowel cancer – so more lives can be saved 

3. Introduce the highest standards of cancer care – so people with cancer receive the best possible care, no matter who they are or where they live 

4. Support people to live well during and after a cancer diagnosis – so they can live a higher quality of life 

While cancer survival has improved by almost 40% over the past 30 years, the inequities in outcomes by cancer type and population groups are still present.  

You showed your support for change 

With around 1 in 2 people expected to be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, the goal of Here for Change was to make cancer a top priority for the next NSW Government. 

Real change takes all of us. In the lead-up to the NSW state election, almost 5,000 people signed our online petition, we had 120 meetings with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and candidates to discuss our Here for Change priorities, with 20 MPs publicly supporting our key priorities. Following the election, we have written to and met with key Ministers who have expressed support for Cancer Council NSW advocacy priorities and have urged us to continue advocating with all MPs across NSW. 

What we want to achieve through future priorities 

Our research has shown that investing in cancer prevention works and can save thousands of lives. Through sustained government action in tobacco control over the past two decades, we have seen a significant decrease in smoking uptake and use, however, the introduction and rise in e-cigarette use among young people risks undermining this progress. We’re committed to protecting young people from nicotine addiction and the risk of smoking uptake.  

Recently, we achieved an incredible advocacy win where the Australian Government announced decisive action on e-cigarettes, to safeguard our tobacco control success and stop a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine. At CCNSW, our work in leading the Generation Vape research project, in partnership with the Daffodil Centre, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, the NSW Ministry of Health, Cancer Institute NSW and Minderoo Foundation played a significant role. The findings from the Generation Vape research have supported governments, researchers and the community to understand the extent and impact of e-cigarette use among young people across Australia. 

At Cancer Council we work with the community to shape and influence policy and practice to reduce cancer risks and improve cancer care. Leading into our iconic event, Daffodil Day, we will be meeting with MPs to introduce the work of Cancer Council and to ask for support with vaping reforms. NSW legislation and enforcement efforts must be aligned with the national reforms to ensure consistency and prevent a new generation addicted to nicotine. Support this advocacy by writing to your MP here. 

All of us have a voice, and together we can bring forward the day we put a stop to cancer.