Plans are underway to merge two national cancer agencies.

The federal government plans to merge the commonwealth's two leading cancer agencies - Cancer Australia and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the single national agency would have a clear "leadership mandate" across all cancers. "At a time when Australia faces an increase in cancer incidence, a strengthened Cancer Australia will help further focus our work in this important area," Roxon said. Merging the two agencies would reduce reporting and administration costs and make it easier for cancer stakeholders to work with government, she said....