Message from the CEO, Dr Helen Zorbas
15 June 2010
The Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, has announced a new era in Australian cancer control with the amalgamation of National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) and Cancer Australia, the Government’s lead cancer agency.
The establishment of a single national cancer control agency provides a welcome opportunity to share NBOCC’s expertise, successes and learnings for the benefit of all Australians affected by cancer.
The amalgamation of the two agencies will combine the experience and efforts of both organisations to further strengthen the Government’s strategic focus on cancer and create a solid platform for the coordination of cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment initiatives at a national level.
A transition period will begin immediately. During the transition to the single national agency, both Cancer Australia and NBOCC will continue with their current programs of work.
I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cancer Australia, with immediate effect, for a three-year term. I will also continue as CEO of NBOCC during this transition period.
The new Cancer Australia will continue a focus on breast and ovarian cancer as it delivers the Government’s broader cancer programs and research priorities.
From early 2011-12, the new Cancer Australia will benefit all Australians who are affected by cancer, and their families and carers, through a single national cancer control agency.
The teams at NBOCC and Cancer Australia welcome this opportunity to extend successful approaches in breast and ovarian cancer to all cancers and look forward to working with all cancer stakeholders in this next exciting phase of national cancer control.
Dr Helen Zorbas
CEO
NBOCC and Cancer Australia