Rare Cancers Australia Ltd (RCA) is a charity whose purpose is to improve awareness, support and treatment of Australians with rare and less common (RLC) cancers.
contact@rarecancers.org.au
rare cancers are more common than you think.
Friday 26 June is Rare Cancers Awareness Day. A national day of recognition and support for those affected by rare and less common cancers.
These are the real faces of rare. Every day, 120 people are diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer in Australia. That’s one person every 12 minutes.
Chances are you know someone affected.
Rare cancers are more common than you think.
Awareness changes lives. You can help change the next 12 minutes.
A rare cancer diagnosis can feel scary and isolating. Awareness makes a difference, supporting earlier detection and ensuring people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers feel recognised, understood and less alone. Show your support and learn more about how you can care for rare.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
get involved
download kit
Show your support and help us spread the word this Rare Cancers Awareness Day. Empower yourself with knowledge, share our resources on social media, or pick up some merchandise to show people with rare and less common cancers they are not alone.
care for rare
Download our comprehensive digital resources to learn more about rare and less common cancers, and how you can show support those affected.
download kit
share for rare
Our suite of social media assets makes it easy for you to spread the word about rare and less common cancers.
download tiles
wear it rare
Order your merchandise and wear it rare with pride this Rare Cancers Awareness Day.
buy clothingEvery 12 minutes, someone in Australia is diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer. That's 120 people a day.
12 minutes
someone in Australia is diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer
120
people affected every single day
One in four
cancer diagnoses are considered rare or less common
One third
of cancer deaths are caused by rare or less common cancers
faces of rare
"One of the challenges of being diagnosed with a rare cancer, is finding medical professionals who can give you accurate information about your cancer and possible treatment options."
Laura, living with Metastatic Fibromyxoid Sarcoma
"When I heard those three words, ‘you have cancer’, I felt like I’d been hit by a freight train with no signs of it slowing down. My future hopes and dreams were shattered within seconds."
Noel, living with Thymic carcinoma
“Access to life‑saving treatment shouldn’t depend on the type of cancer you have. If I were to try immunotherapy it would cost over $60,000 because it isn’t covered for my specific mutation - even though it’s listed on the PBS for others. That’s not just unfair. It’s inequity.”
Gemma, 41, living with Metastatic Fibromyxoid Sarcoma
"Living with a rare cancer like cholangiocarcinoma means navigating uncertainty, limited treatment options, and often feeling unseen and I see others with this cancer dying all around me—but it also reveals incredible strength, resilience, and the power of community."
Karen, living with Cholangiocarcinoma
"Living with a rare cancer can bring a lot of fear and uncertainty but there is hope. Raising awareness is important for me, to let people know they are not alone in their journey."
Jessica, living with High Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma with Anaplastic Mural Nodules
"Cancer is not a death sentence. Not like it was before. It is very much about having that positive mindset and just keeping on going, trying to do as many things as you possibly can to give your body a chance."
Matt, living with Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma
"So many people ask what would happen if I couln't afford my treatment and my answer to them is "I will probably die". And it shouldn’t be like that in Australia."
Lauren, living with Neuroendocrine tumours
"There is no cure for my cancer, right now my only treatment option is surgery. I don't know when my cancer will be considered inoperable and when that happens I don't know what treatment will be available to me and whether I can afford it.
Sue, living with Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma
"I was diagnosed with polycythaemia rubra Vera, a rare blood cancer, it developed to myelofibrosis, took long time for drs to manage my blood levels. I want to feel less isolated and alone in my cancer experience."
Rima, living with Myelofibrosis
"Ultimately, by coming together to raise awareness about rare cancers we can spark a ripple effect of positive change, empowering patients, families and communities to face rare cancers with greater confidence, resilience and hope."
Emily, living with NUT Carcinoma
"I realised that whathad happened to me was actually a hidden blessing. It gave me perspective. It made me grateful, not just for life itself, but for the people who fought for me."
Angus, diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, currently living with no evidence of disease
"We need to fast-track the process of bench to bedside for promising new treatments. As cancer patients we just don’t have time, it is not on our side, and current healthcare models and policy must catch up with the science if we want to ensure that no patient is left behind."
Caitlin, living with clear cell ovarian cancer
"You’re diagnosed, tested, told there’s a treatment that can help – then you hit a wall. The system fails. That’s the gap that needs fixing."
Jacques, living with Ewing Sarcoma
"If my cancer was in the breast or lung, I would have been able to access treatment on the PBS. But because it’s rare, it’s not covered, and I’ve had to pay out of my own pocket."
Natalie, living with Adrenocortical carcinoma
"I'd like to see everyone gain access to treatment pathways, financial support and information no matter where you live."
Nick, living with Fibrolamellar Carcinoma
share for rare
download kit
Any cancer diagnosis can turn your world on its head - but rare cancers bring additional challenges that can leave people feeling isolated, confused and alone. Show your support this Rare Cancers Awareness Day and share for rare on your socials with a blue heart emoji and hashtag #awareofrare
I'm aware of rare
download tile
I'm sharing for rare
download tile
I'm aware of rare
download tile
I'm sharing for rare
download tile
Without awareness - Lillian
download tile
Without awareness - Angus
download tile
Without awareness - Sue
download tile.png)
Every 12 minutes
download tile
One in four cancers
download tile
Without awareness
download tilewear it rare
shop rare
FAQ.
What is Rare Cancers Awareness Day?
What is a rare cancer?
What are some examples of rare cancers?
What makes rare cancers so challenging?
Where can I learn more about rare cancers?
Is there a screening test for rare cancers?
I’ve been told my cancer is rare. What support is available?
Why are Canberra landmarks blue in June?
