Cancer Council Calls On Political Parties To Rise To Increasing Cancer Challenge, Australia

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 24 Oct 2007 - 7:00 PDT

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The Cancer Council Australia has called on federal political parties to expedite and extend the national bowel cancer screening program and improve tobacco and obesity control and support for rural cancer patients as part of their election commitments.

Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Olver, said Government research released since the last election showed cancer overtaking cardiovascular disease as the nation's largest disease burden, increased disparity in cancer mortality for rural Australians and projections of a 31 per cent increase in cancer incidence between 2001 and 2011, with the trend likely to continue as our population ages.

"With Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showing these clear trends towards a larger overall cancer burden and poorer outcomes for people in rural areas, the next Australian Government must commit to more evidence-based measures to reduce the impact of cancer," Professor Olver said.

He said there had also been positive developments since the last election upon which the next government could build. "The Government's phasing in of a national bowel cancer screening program, starting last year for people turning 55 and 65, could save thousands of lives and should be expedited and extended to all Australians aged 50 for maximum benefit.

"We have also seen government initiatives to cut smoking prevalence and obesity, but evidence shows Australia must do much more to meet its potential to reduce the cancer burden attributed to tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical inactivity."

The Cancer Council is calling for a re-invigorated National Tobacco Campaign, an implementation plan for the National Tobacco Strategy and a coordinated approach to reducing obesity and overweight, including restrictions on junk food marketing to children.

It is also calling on the next Australian Government to lead the states and territories in improving cancer care for regional and Indigenous Australians and upgrading outdated analogue breast mammography technology.

The Cancer Council Australia has also released its National Cancer Prevention Policy 2007-09, a comprehensive, evidence-based policy guide for governments at all levels, healthcare professionals and administrators.

"The National Cancer Prevention Policy incorporates the work of Australia's leading public health and medical authorities in cancer control and provides detailed advice on cancer prevention and screening in Australia," Professor Olver said.

Detailed information available from http://www.cancer.org.au/election.

Cancer Council Australia

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