Cancer Council Victoria delivered an important message to Victorians in 2023: one-in-two of us will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. This sobering statistic should remind us to take action as one-out-of-three cancers are preventable, and early detection can significantly improve cancer outcomes for many cancer types. So, there are ways for all of us to readily reduce the impact of cancer.
And our data shows the ‘good news’ about cancer. For the first time, the current five-year survival rate has now reached over 70 per cent for both females and males, and we anticipate this steadily increasing as we methodically learn more and work together meticulously to put this new knowledge into effect.
The Board is a balanced, diverse group of dedicated, diligent, and passionate professionals who are contributing their exceptional knowledge and experience to further the mission of Cancer Council Victoria to improve outcomes for people with cancer. I’m honoured and humbled by their support for me as Chair.
In 2023, we saw the fruits of our advocacy, lobbying, and partnerships for better protective measures to shield young and vulnerable people from predatory industries, such as tobacco, alcohol, and junk food. We implemented new campaigns to increase participation in cancer screening programs, especially to reach priority audiences. And we enhanced our website to further assist people with cancer and their families to find trusted information on treatment options and clinical trials.
We partnered with other Australian Cancer Councils to advocate for a national cancer patient support coordination network, which was accepted as part of the Australian Cancer Plan during the year, and the Cancer Council federation has now been asked to make it happen. And, on top of all this and in the face of a tightening financial situation, we have expanded our support for cancer research.
This is all to say that through our partnerships and collaborations with federal and state governments, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, as well as many other organisations, we’re working to break down barriers to cancer care and equitably improve cancer outcomes for all.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Board members, acknowledging Jayne Dullard who stepped down in August and welcome Patrick Baker and Narayan Prasad who joined us in October. I would also like to acknowledge the federation of Cancer Councils around Australia and, on behalf of the Board, thank the tireless efforts of our devoted employees, volunteers, and supporters, whose compassion and commitment is helping reduce the impact of cancer on Victorian lives.
Prof. Jeremy Millar