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This news section includes content published in state and national media which may not necessarily represent the position of Cancer Council SA.


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Government must prepare now for 40% increase in cancer cases in 2020
 March 9, 2012

Media release: Cancer Council Australia
 
Projections show need for bowel cancer screening investment.

Decisions made by government today will greatly affect how Australia handles a 40% increase in cancer incidence projected for 2020, according to Cancer Council Australia.

New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analyses predict that 150,000 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2020, a 40% increase on 2007 baseline data.

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said that although population ageing was the main reason for the projected increase, decisions made by governments today could still reduce cancer incidence and mortality, with immediate and longer-term benefits.

“For example, bowel cancer is projected to cause the greatest burden in men and women combined, with around 20,000 new cases expected in 2020,” Professor Olver said. “Whether those cases lead to death, after a difficult and costly cancer battle, or to a relatively swift recovery will in most cases depend on how early they are diagnosed.

“This is why we are calling for the federal government to expand its National Bowel Cancer Screening Program now, to start managing this ongoing increase in bowel cancer cases today.”

For full media release click here.
 


Calling all South Australians 50+ to take bowel screening test for FOBruary
February 27, 2012

FOBruary, is a new health campaign run by Cabrini Health that calls on all Australians over the age of 50 to take a Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) Test during the month of February to screen for bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is the most common internal cancer affecting men and women, killing more than 70 Australians every week. However, if detected early, it is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. Bowel cancer can occur at any time although 90 per cent of cases occur in people 50 and over.

Screening for bowel cancer is easy – it’s non-invasive and can be done in the privacy of your own home. There is no poking or prodding – the test only touches your toilet bowl.

If you aren’t eligible for the free test from the Australian Government (for those turning 50, 55 and 65), tests are available for purchase by calling Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 or visit Cabrini Health's website - www.letsbeatbowelcancer.com.

Don’t forget – talk with your GP if you have any concerns.

There are only a few days left - so take the test today. It only takes a few moments and it could save your life!


BreastScreen benefits outweigh the problems
 January 16, 2012

Issue statement: Cancer Council Australia
 
Professor Ian Olver, Chief Executive Officer Cancer Council Australia
January 2012

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Cancer Council recommends mammographic screening every two years for women aged 50 to 70 years. The Australian Government funds mammograms for women from 40 years of age under the BreastScreen program.

Recently, the national screening program has been called into question, with some public health commentators arguing it does more harm than good because of over-diagnosis.

This month’s Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) includes two sides of the argument. Monash University breast cancer researchers Robin Bell and Robert Burton argue that although breast cancer mortality had decreased by 29% since BreastScreen was introduced in 1991, data indicates that cancer therapies, not screening programs, are responsible for most of this improvement.

More.





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