The Cancer Council is commending a 30% reduction in cancer deaths, as they celebrate 20 years fighting cancer.
About 61, 000 Australians have been saved by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment in the last two decades, following research released today.
Shayne Connell, the Regional Manager from Cancer Council NSW Hunter Region office said the statistics are signs of more progress to come. “We expect about 8,000 deaths to be avoided each year if current advances in cancer are maintained,” he said.
Annual lung cancer deaths have fallen by 2,154 compared to what would have been expected if the late 1980s cancer trends had continued. There were also 1,797 less bowel cancer deaths, and 773 less breast cancer deaths.
However the research also revealed some areas of cancer had seen little development, such as cancer of the brain, pancreatic and oesophagus.
The research compared statistics from the late 1980s, a defining point in Australia’s first major investment into the fight against cancer.
The results coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Hunter Region’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea held throughout May and June.
