Cancer Council and nib launches edgy educational campaign to reduce our cancer risk

In Australia, one third of all cancer cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. These concerning statistics are the reason Cancer Council Queensland are launching their very first Cancer Risk Calculator!

The Cancer Risk Calculator is an easy to use interactive online tool which provides personalised information, helpful tips and resources about modifiable behaviours to reduce cancer risk.

To launch the calculator, Cancer Council Queensland have released an edgy campaign targeting youth to find out their score on the Cancer Risk Calculator. The social media assets will run across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

The premise of the campaign is that there are some numbers we lie about (age), some we pay no attention to (numbers on street signs etc) but there is one number we need to know and pay attention to and that is the score from the Cancer Risk Calculator.

Concerning data from the most recent Chief Health Officer Report showed: 12% of young people smoke daily (18 – 29 years), 23% of young people are obese, 17% are overweight and 25% of young people are risky drinkers.

Queensland is the skin cancer capital of the world, and unfortunately, young people (18 – 34 years) are at least 4 times more likely to be sunburnt than older people (65 years and older).

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan said the Cancer Risk Calculator is a powerful tool to help Queenslanders reduce their cancer risk.

“Currently, at least one third of all cancer cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and we want to do all we can to make sure Queenslanders are aware of and making these healthier choices” said Ms McMillan.

“We hope the calculator will raise awareness and give Queenslanders a push to become leaders in reducing their cancer risk.

“Modifiable lifestyle risk factors are habits such as diet, alcohol consumption, weight, physical activity, smoking, and ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun.

By making simple lifestyle changes, people can reduce their cancer risk. Also, early detection of cancer increases as Queenslanders become more aware of their health.

A healthy lifestyle, knowing your body, and participating in national screening programs give the greatest protection against cancer.

nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe, said they were proud to support the unique health promotion approach to engaging with youth regarding the importance of health prevention.

“Prevention really is better than cure, and small lifestyle changes to diet, alcohol, and exercise for example, can add up to make a big difference to your overall health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer,” Mrs Tribe said.

“That’s why we jumped at the opportunity to help Cancer Council Queensland deliver their Cancer Risk Calculator to more people in Australia.

“It’s a simple and engaging tool that will help educate young adults on making positive lifestyle choices and hopefully motivate them to lead healthier lives,” Mrs Tribe added.

To participate in the Cancer Risk Calculator, please visit, cancerqld.org.au/cancer-prevention.