Information for Health Professionals - Useful Links

Links to organisations that contain useful information have been provided. These links do not imply any endorsement, support or commercial gain by the Cancer Institute NSW, NSW Health Services or the State of New South Wales. The validity of the contents, while valuable, can not be guaranteed by the Cancer Institute NSW. More information is available in the Cancer Institute NSW Disclaimer.

Australian Sites

Organisation	Description
Alliance of NSW Divisions	The Alliance of NSW Divisions is the state based organisation for Divisions of General Practice in NSW. Incorporated in 1996 to coordinate Divisional activities, the Alliance today is a not-for-profit Registered Training Organisation that represents and advocates for Divisions within NSW and provides quality programs and resources to enhance the capacity of Divisions and the primary health care sector.
Association for Australian Rural Nurses	The Association for Australian Rural Nurses supports rural nurses in the delivery of quality care and services to rural people. AARN is a relevant organisation to represent rural nurses in all settings and at all levels.
Ausmed - the Health Care Educators	Ausmed Conferences organises a diverse range of educational nursing programs throughout Australia each year. Many of their programs attract RCNA CNE points which assists nurses in their ongoing professional development. Set aside 2 days to attend an Ausmed conference and continue your learning.
Australian Council of Community Nursing Services	The Australian Council of Community Nursing Services Inc. (ACCNS) is a national peak council representing the interests of all home/community nurses and services. It enables home/community nurses and services to speak with a united voice, share information and address key issues of concern. It seeks to lobby Governments on matters of policy affecting them and their clients.
Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL)	Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) is a leading provider of accreditation for Australia’s General Practices.
Australian Nursing Council (ANC)	The Australian Nursing Council (ANC) is a peak national nursing body that was established in 1992 for the purpose of bringing a national approach to nurse regulation. The ANC’s role is to work closely with the state and territory nurse regulatory authorities to evolve national standards for statutory nurse regulation that are flexible, effective and responsive to the health care requirements of the Australian population.
Australian Practice Nurses Association	The Australian Practice Nurses Association is a professional association run by practice nurses for practice nurses. It provides representation, support and networking for practice nurses at national, state and local levels. Membership is open to all nurses working in general practice as well as to individuals in allied health and other professions.
Breast Cancer Action Group	Breast Cancer Action Group NSW Inc is an organisation for people who are, in any way, affected by breast cancer. It provides a "voice" for breast cancer affected people - wherever decisions about breast cancer are made - within areas of Government, health service provision, research, support and care services.
Breast Cancer Network Australia	Breast Cancer Network Australia's role is to empower, inform, represent and link together Australians personally affected by breast cancer. It is driven by women who have themselves experienced breast cancer.
BreastScreen NSW	The State Co-ordination Unit is responsible for planning, implementation and coordination of BreastScreen NSW according to national and state aims.
Camp Quality	Camp Quality is a non profit organisation that is committed to bringing hope and happiness to the lives of children with cancer, their families and communities through ongoing quality recreational and educational programs.
Cancer Council Aust. NSW ACT NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA	The Cancer Council Australia is Australia's national non-government cancer control organisation. Our members are the eight state and territory cancer organisations, working together to undertake and fund cancer research, prevent and control cancer and provide information and support for people affected by cancer.
Cancer Nurses Society of Australia	The purpose of the site is to give members and non-members another avenue to contact CNSA and learn more about our services and activities. The site is full of great information. There are member only aspects, links to other important sites and information about upcoming events.
Cancer Patients Assistance Society of Australia	The Cancer Patient's Assistance Society of New South Wales (CPAS) is a registered charity, non-profit organisation, controlled by a voluntary board of directors and advised by a committee of medical specialists. It supports patients living in regional and remote areas of NSW.
Cancer Screening	This site is updated by the Department of Health and Aging and provides information on current screening programs in Australia.
Centenary Institute	The Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology is a centre of excellence in medical research. The Institute specialises in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.
Centrelink	Centrelink is a government agency delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community.
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia	COSA is the peak multi-disciplinary society for health professionals working in cancer research or the treatment, rehabilitation or palliation of cancer patients.
College of Nursing	The College of Nursing provides support for nurses, while contributing to the creation of a better health care system for all Australians. These goals are achieved through education and professional development for all nurses, and by contributing to policy making with governments and relevant health organisations. The College of Nursing represents nurses at all stages of their careers, providing access to the latest information on nursing practice and giving support to facilitate career advancement.
Department of Health and Ageing	The Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing aims to provide better health and healthier ageing for all Australians through a world-class health system. One focus of the Department is radiation oncology and radiotherapy.
Garvan Institute	The Garvan Institute is internationally recognised as a leader in gene based medical research and is committed to delivering new insights into major diseases and novel ways to prevent and treat these disorders.
General Practice Education Australia	GPEA is the national education and training company of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The products we offer meet the needs of General Practitioners and other primary health clinicians at every stage of their professional lives.
Gut Foundation	The Gut Foundation provides professional and public education and promotes research into digestive disorders to improve gastrointestinal health.
Gynaecological Cancer Society	This site supports the Society’s Information and Education Program
HealthInsite	HealthInsite is an Australian Government initiative, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. It aims to improve the health of Australians by providing easy access to quality information about human health.
Informed Health Online	Informed Health Online is produced by the Health Research and Education Foundation Ltd. The Foundation is a not-for-profit health promotion organisation based in Melbourne. The Foundation aims to provide information and resource tools that enable people to keep up-to-date with reliable, evidence-based information. The Foundation promotes research literacy, and individual and community use of high quality research.
Kolling Institute of Medical Research	The Kolling Institute of Medical Research is the oldest medical research institute in NSW, established by Act of Parliament in 1920. It is accredited by the National Health and Medical Research Council and affiliated with the University of Sydney. It encompasses several biomedical research groups with expertise in growth and growth factors, cancer cell biology and genetics, community genetics, renal medicine and hypertension, and perinatal medicine.
Leukaemia Foundation	The Leukaemia Foundation is a progressive national organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients with leukaemia*, lymphoma, myeloma, aplastic anaemia and related blood disorders.
Lymphedema Association of Australia	The Lymphoedema Association of Australia encourages research into lymphoedema (lymphedema) and its treatment, and to spread information about these among doctors, therapists and patients.
National Breast Cancer Centre	The National Breast Cancer Centre is Australia's peak body for breast and ovarian cancer control. The National Breast Cancer Centre works with women, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to reduce the number of Australian women who die from breast and ovarian cancer.
National Breast Cancer Foundation	The National Breast Cancer Foundation (the Foundation) is Australia’s only national not-for-profit foundation established to promote and support research into every aspect of breast cancer.
National Cancer Control Initiative	The National Cancer Control Initiative is a partnership between The Cancer Council Australia and the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. The NCCI is entirely funded by the Commonwealth. The role of the National Cancer Control Initiative is to provide timely and expert advice to the Commonwealth Government and other key groups on all issues related to cancer control as well as manage a range of cancer related projects.
National Cancer Control Initiative GP/Patient Show Card	The practice resource includes a GP/Patient Show Card for use in the patient consultation. The Patient Show Card includes an anatomical diagram of the male pelvis, six decision steps, current age based risk estimates for prostate cancer and a values clarification table. The resource also contains GP Reference Cards with more detail for the informed choice discussion, an overview of age-based PSA reference ranges and non-cancer causes of elevated PSA readings. Download the Card
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)	The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) consolidates within a single national organisation the often independent functions of research funding and development of advice.
National Institute of Clinical Studies	Provides practitioners and health organizations with systems that will assist them to improve the health outcomes of those within their care.
National Ovarian Cancer Network	OvCa Australia supports women with ovarian cancer and their families. We increase awareness about the most lethal of all gynaecological cancers, promote the need for effective early detection, and encourage access to the best possible care.
NSW Cervical Screening Program	This site provides information & resources to consumers & health service providers on issues relating to cervical cancer screening.
NSW Health Department	The NSW Department of Health is responsible for providing the people of New South Wales with the best health care. It also funds public health services, develops policy, supports the statutory role of the Minister for Health, manages public health issues, and monitors the performance of the health system.
Palliative Care Australia	Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care in Australia. Our goal is to work toward the relief of pain and suffering of dying people in Australia and the provision of the care they need.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme	For the past 55 years the Commonwealth Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has consistently provided reliable, timely and affordable access to a wide range of medicines for all Australians. Every time you fill a prescription for a PBS medicine you receive a subsidy. From 1 January 2004 you pay up to $23.70* for most PBS medicines, or $3.80* if you have a concession card. The Commonwealth Government pays the remaining cost.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia	The information on this site about prostate cancer is presented from the perspective of patients who have experienced diagnosis and treatment for the disease.
Royal Australasian College of Physicians	The RACP is a professional organisation consisting of over 9,000 Fellows and Trainees combined. Fellows are qualified physicians and paediatricians who completed their training with the College. For those visitors to the site who are not College members, we have provided information about what the College does and its members, the role of physicians and paediatricians and links to a range of related health information material we hope will be of interest.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners	The core responsibilities of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) are General Practice Standards and Education and Training in Australia.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists	This website aims to promote, encourage, and provide for the advancement of the study of the sciences known as Diagnostic Radiology, Diagnostic Medical Imaging, and Radiation Oncology.
Royal College of Nursing, Australia	Royal College of Nursing, Australia is the professional voice for nurses by speaking out on health issues that affect nurses and the community.
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons	As a fellowship based organisation, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons strives to ensure the highest standard of safe and comprehensive surgical care to the community through excellence in surgical education, training, professional development and support.
Rural Health Education Foundation	The The Rural Health Education Foundation provides independent, accredited education services to general practitioners and other health professionals working in rural and remote Australia.
Sun Smart	SunSmart provides sun protection advice for the community.
Sydney Cancer Centre	The Sydney Cancer Centre was created in 1996 by bringing together the cancer units at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), Concord Repatriation General Hospital and other hospitals of the Central Sydney Area Health Service. Today it offers expertise in surgery, radiation, drug treatment, cancer research and teaching. It is part of the campus of the University of Sydney.
Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group(TROG)	TROG is a co-operative cancer trials group involving Radiation Oncologists throughout Australia and New Zealand
University of Newcastle	Newcastle University is an exceptional achiever in research with an international reputation for expertise in innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
University of NSW	The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is one of the leading teaching and research universities in Australia - renowned for the quality of its graduates and its commitment to new and creative approaches to education and research.
University of Sydney	The University of Sydney is one of Australia's leading research universities.
VirtualCancerCentre.com	Australia's own comprehensive online cancer information resource has been created as an education resource by leading health professionals from the areas of Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Haematology, Surgery and Palliative Care. The information is updated and supported daily by a force of GP's, national partners, and a dedicated Editorial Advisory Board of leading Australian specialists to ensure the information we provide is the most current and up-to-date.
Westmead Institute for Cancer Research	The Australian Cancer Research Foundation is a leading charity in Australia, dealing nationally and exclusively with cancer research funding.
Westmead Millennium Institute	The Westmead Millennium Institute is one of Australia's premier medical research institutes, located at Westmead in Sydney. Our research impacts on the lives of all age groups - children, adults and older people.

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International Sites

Information contained on international sites may not be reflective of the needs of the Australian community.

Organisation	Description
AGREE	AGREE is an international collaboration of researchers and policy makers who seek to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines by establishing a shared framework for their development, reporting and assessment.
American Cancer Society	The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community- based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
American Commission on Cancer Information	Established by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) in 1922, the multi-disciplinary Commission on Cancer (CoC) sets standards for quality multidisciplinary cancer care delivered primarily in hospital settings
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)	The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who treat people with cancer
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's (ASTRO')	The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's (ASTRO) is the premier professional association in radiation oncology, dedicated to improving patient care through education, the advancement of science and representing the specialty in the health policy arena.
Association of Cancer Online Resources	The Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc. (ACOR) is a non-profit organisation. ACOR supports mailing lists and develops and hosts state-of-the-art Internet-based knowledge systems that allow the public to find and use credible information relevant to their illness.
Association for International Cancer Research	The Association for International Cancer Research focus is on basic, as opposed to clinical research.
CancerBACUP	CancerBACUP's mission is to give cancer patients and their families the up-to-date information, practical advice and support they need to reduce the fear and uncertainty of cancer.
Cancer Help UK	CancerHelp UK gives information about cancer for anyone who has concerns about cancer, principally people with cancer, their relatives and friends.
Cancernet	This site provides information to patients and health professionals about cancer, treatments and prevention strategies.
Centre for Quality of Care Research WOK	The Centre for Quality of Care Research WOK is collaboration between the Universities of Nijmegen and Maastricht. The Centre aims at research and development on Quality in Health Care
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia	COSA is the peak multi-disciplinary Society for health professionals working in cancer research or the treatment, rehabilitation or palliation of cancer patients. Formed in 1971, COSA conducts an annual scientific meeting, seminars and educational activities related to current cancer issues.
Cochrane Collaboration	The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit and independent organisation, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
Department of Health (UK)	The aim of the Department of Health (UK) is to improve the health and well being of people in England. One focus is the NHS Cancer Plan. This Cancer Plan sets out the first ever comprehensive strategy to tackle the disease.
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-ma/cancer/index_e.html	Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. One aspect of the organisation focuses on diseases and conditions
International Association for Research on Cancer	The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization. IARC's mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.
International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA)	The International Brain Tumour Alliance was established in May 2005 and provides support, advocacy and information groups for brain tumour patients and carers in different countries. It also includes researchers, scientists, clinicians and allied health professionals who work in the area of brain tumours.
International Myeloma Foundation	International Myeloma Foundation provides information about multiple myeloma including research and treatment advances, as well as information about the IMF, upcoming events and our research, education, support and advocacy programs.
International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care	The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) was founded in 1984 and has over sixty member groups in twenty-five countries. ISNCC also has official relations with the World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses and the United Nations.
International Union Against Cancer	International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is the only global cancer organisation with members and activities covering all aspects of cancer control. UICC's purpose is to promote awareness and responsibility for the growing global cancer burden; to take effective action to prevent and reduce cancer incidence and mortality; to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families, and to build the capacity of our members and partners to meet local cancer control needs.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society	The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukaemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre's foster innovative basic-science research focused on cancer and health care
National Cancer Institute (USA)	The NCI, established under the National Cancer Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training.
National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine	The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is 1 of the 27 institutes and centres that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is one of eight agencies under the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals.
National Health Service	The NHS aims to bring about the highest level of physical and mental health for all citizens, within the resources available by promoting health and preventing ill-health, diagnosing and treating injury and disease and caring for those with a long-term illness and disability, who require the services of the NHS.
National Institutes of Health (NHI)	National Institutes of Health (NHI) is dedicated to improving the health of Americans by conducting and funding medical research.We also train scientists, and communicate medical and health sciences information to patients, their families, health care providers and the general public.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)	The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) consolidates within a single national organisation the often independent functions of research funding and development of advice.
NCCN Guidelines	National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): A not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives.
Oncolink	OncoLink was founded in 1994 by Penn cancer specialists with a mission to help cancer patients, families, health care professionals and the general public get accurate cancer-related information at no charge.
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)	The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a national specialty organization of more than 30,000 registered nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of oncology.
Prostate Lab	Providing men, their loved ones, and their physicians the objective information needed to make informed rational decisions concerning the screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of prostate disease.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation	The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs.
World Health Organisation	The World Health Organization, the United Nations specialized agency for health, was established on 7 April 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

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