New statistics paint a promising picture

Friday 4 November, 2011

The latest figures from the Victorian Cancer Registry provide a promising picture, with survival continuing to increase, despite an increase in the number of cancer diagnoses. But there's still much to be done to reduce the burden of cancer on the Victorian community. 

The figures are contained in Canstat No 50, the Victorian Cancer Registry's flagship publication, which is produced annually and contains information about incidence and mortality for all cancers.

"The Canstat is one of the most important documents produced by Cancer Council Victoria each year," said Helen Farrugia, the newly-appointed Director of the Victorian Cancer Registry.

"The information it contains informs government policy, guides research and ensures screening and prevention programs are as targeted as possible."

"It is also a crucial tool for helping Cancer Council Victoria to shape its priorities for future action. With an increasing number of diagnoses and more people surviving cancer, a key challenge is responding to the expected increase in demand for our support services, including programs to support people who have survived a cancer diagnosis."

One of the challenges in producing this annual document is the vast amount of work required to gather the information

"Collating and processing the massive amount of data involved is a timeconsuming process that requires the collaboration and support of hundreds of people all over Victoria," said Ms Farrugia.

"Fortunately we have a lot of experience in doing this, having operated the Victorian Cancer Registry since 1939, but we are always looking for ways to improve our data collecting and reporting"

One significant improvement this year is to publish the next Canstat - reporting on figures to the end of 2010 - by the end of this year. This will make the Victorian Cancer Registry the most up-to-date registry of its kind in Australia and one of the only cancer registries in the world which makes statistics publicly available within one year.

Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said the statistics make for interesting reading.

"The good news is that survival is increasing, with five-year survival up to 63%, from a figure of 48% in 1990. Incidence rates continue to rise, which can largely be attributed to screening and early detection programs," said Mr Harper.

"But we can all try to reverse this trend through making simple lifestyle choices like quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise."

"Cancer Council Victoria will also be doing what it can by continuing to invest over $20M per year into research initiatives to try and drive better outcomes and improve the effectiveness of all of our programs."

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Facts...

In 2009:

With the exception of lung cancer, the rate of mortality to incidence in the 5 most common cancers was very low, highlighting the benefits of focused research on these cancers and the importance of directing our attention to less common cancers through the forgotten cancers project.

Since 2001:

Overall cancer incidence has increased in both males and in females, while mortality has decreased in both.