Get involved and help Queenslanders living with cancer by volunteering. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation. Join us to make a greater impact and connect with like-minded people.
Every contribution helps support those living with cancer. Whether a one-off donation or monthly gift, your support ensures funding stability for long-term goals and future generations.
Leave a legacy by including a gift in your Will, starting a tribute page for a loved one, or funding a research grant for early-career cancer researchers driving clinical innovations.
Organise a fundraising event in your community, either as a team or an individual. You can join one of our existing fundraising events or you might like to come up with your own way.
When organisations work together, we can have a greater impact for every Queenslander going through cancer and help amplify our message for all Australians.
However you get involved, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of Queenslanders affected by cancer. See the results of what we’ve all achieved.
In our homes and communities, we can be exposed to substances that may increase our risk of developing preventable cancers. Understanding and managing these risks can help you to lower your risk factors and stay safe.
Contributions go towards world-class research, prevention programs and support service.
While there are many factors that can lead to a cancer diagnosis, there are measures you can take to stay as safe as possible.
When breathed in, asbestos fibres can cause serious health risks, potentially leading to lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer. These fibres can be released during:
You can stay safe by:
If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, take action:
Second-hand tobacco smoke is the harmful combination of smoke from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, with 69 known to cause cancer. There is no safe level of exposure, even outdoors. This environmental risk can lead to:
Protect yourself and those around you by:
In homes, third-hand smoke accumulates on surfaces, furniture, and dust, persisting for months or even years after smoking has stopped. Second-hand smoke is inhaled, but third-hand smoke can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Children are particularly at risk due to their time spent indoors, close contact with contaminated surfaces, frequent hand-to-mouth activities, and physical contact with smoking parents, whose clothes, hair, and skin may carry residues.
To minimise risks, enforce a strict no-smoking rule indoors, avoid bringing contaminated items inside, and prioritise creating a smoke-free environment to protect household members. While deep cleaning and ventilation can help, they may not fully remove harmful residues. With third-hand smoke being an emerging area of research, household members should remain cautious and prioritise smoke-free environments to protect themselves and other members of the household.
Quitting smoking or vaping is hard, but there is a lot of support to help you. Learn more
In Queensland, the UV index reaches 3 or above every day of the year. This means UV radiation is strong enough to cause skin damage daily, even during winter or on cloudy days.Below, we’ve listed tips to protect yourself around the home, but it’s also crucial to follow the five key sun protection measures.
Learn more about the five key sun protection measures.
All types of commercial and car window glass block the majority of UVB radiation, but UVA radiation can still pass through. How much UVA passes through depends on the type and thickness of the glass. Both UVA and UVB radiation are linked to the development of skin cancer.
Car windows offer varying levels of UV protection:
If you spend long hours driving, additional sun protection is important for when you’re both inside and outside the vehicle:
UV exposure inside homes is generally low but may pose a small risk to people sitting near windows for extended periods or those with photosensitive skin conditions. The amount of UVA radiation that passes through depends on the type of glass:
To further reduce UV exposure indoors, consider:
If you think you may have been exposed to a cancer-causing agent, it is important to speak with a GP or health professional.
Asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers when breathed in, particularly during renovations. Even though asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, it is still present in many older buildings and materials like roofing, walls or flooring. Avoid disturbing these materials and never attempt to remove asbestos yourself—always hire licensed professionals. If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, let your doctor know. Stay aware of any changes to your health and seek medical advice if needed.
Second-hand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals (69 known to cause cancer) and can lead to lung cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease, and stroke. It is more toxic than the smoke inhaled directly by the smoker because side-stream smoke, produced at lower temperatures and without a filter, contains higher concentrations of harmful chemicals and smaller particles that can penetrate deeper into the lungs. There is no safe level of exposure.
Second-hand smoke is a harmful mix of smoke from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker, while third-hand smoke refers to the toxic residues that linger on surfaces, clothing, and furniture long after smoking stops. Both pose serious health risks. Protect yourself and others by keeping your home and car smoke-free, avoiding environments where smoking occurs, and ensuring children and babies are never exposed.
Australia experiences strong UV radiation year-round, even in winter, which increases the risk of skin cancer. An estimated 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. The number is likely to be even higher in Queensland, due to its combination of high UV radiation levels, outdoor lifestyle and population composition.
Protect yourself by following the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide’ guidelines: slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF50 or 50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses. Consider sun protection at home and in cars, especially if you spend long hours driving, sit near windows for extended periods, or have photosensitive skin conditions. Taking these steps can help reduce your cancer risk.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
