They are being urged to sign up to an online research register.
The aim is to cut the recruitment time for studies, says National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO Carole Renouf.
"Traditional research recruitment can take years, often delaying results and exhausting resources."
The foundation's system, known as Register4, was able to cut the recruitment time from two years to two days, she said.
"We've seen a shift towards research that spans different cancers rather than focusing on specific parts of the body or tumour types.
"By opening up Register4, we can accelerate the research process for all those affected by cancer," said Ms Renouf, whose foundation funded the register in 2010.
Men and women, with and without cancer, were needed for the register.
Foundation patron Sarah Murdoch was one of the first to sign up to the Register in 2010.
"It only takes three minutes to join, there's a strict privacy policy and all projects are ethically approved," she said.
Researchers who hope the register will give their studies a boost include Associate Professor Janette Vardy, who is working on a "brain training" project for people recovering from chemotherapy.
Another is Professor Jane Ussher, who is seeking men and women for a study on fertility and sexuality.
"It is important for researchers to be able to hear directly from those impacted by cancer.
"It helps us to develop a better understanding and in turn better resources to help them and their families," she said.
Email inforegister4.org.au or telephone 1300 709 485 for more information about the register.
