Health Minister Ryan Park is encouraging more people to seek help if they notice changes in their health, with data released on World Cancer Day showing almost 54,000 people are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in NSW in 2025.
The data released by the Cancer Institute NSW includes 8,800 cases of prostate cancer cases; 6900 cases of breast cancer; 5,700 cases melanoma of the skin cases; 5,200 cases of bowel cancer; and 4,700 cases of lung cancer.
Pleasingly more people are surviving cancer than ever before, with more than 70 per cent of people surviving five years after their diagnosis, compared to 60 per cent, 15 years ago.
Advances in genetics, immunotherapy and precision medicine are leading to more personalised treatments, improving outcomes and reducing the immediate and often long-term side effects of treatment.
Cutting-edge diagnostics available in NSW are also making it possible to detect cancer earlier when it is most treatable, innovations that offer people the promise of longer lives, better quality of life, and even the possibility of preventing cancer altogether.
The new data also shows more than 16,000 people are also projected to lose their lives to the disease by the end of 2025, including 2,700 from lung cancer; 1,700 from bowel cancer; 1,200 from pancreatic cancer; 1,100 from prostate cancer and 1,000 from breast cancer.
With one in three cancer deaths preventable through healthy living, Minister Park is encouraging people to adopt six health habits to reduce our cancer risk:
- Drink less;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Eat healthy;
- Be active;
- Protect your skin; and
- Quit smoking.
There are many factors in our lives that can make it difficult to make healthy living changes. Sometimes, it is hard to know where to start and just the thought of change can feel overwhelming. However, over time, it is possible to make positive changes to your daily habits.
The community can find more information and helpful tips relating to these healthy habits by visiting the Cancer Institute's website at cancer.nsw.gov.au.
The NSW Government invests $180 million each year, through the Cancer Institute NSW, to improve cancer outcomes in NSW and lessen the impact of cancer for people across the state.
Now in its fifth iteration, the NSW Cancer Plan 2022-2027 is helping guide the state's cancer control efforts.
As the state's dedicated cancer control agency, the Cancer Institute NSW is working together with more than 80 organisations across government, non-government and community to reduce cancer's impact and save more lives.
Key insights from Cancer Institute NSW:
- One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
- One in three cancer deaths can be prevented through healthy living.
- Seven in 10 people survive for five years after a cancer diagnosis. This rate was around six in 10 people 15 years ago.
- Less than 40 per cent of eligible people in NSW are taking part in free bowel cancer screening.
- Close to 52 per cent of eligible people in NSW are taking part in free breast cancer screening.
- Approximately 60 per cent of eligible people in NSW are taking part in free cervical cancer screening.
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Ryan Park:
"Reducing cancer's devastating impact on our community is a key priority and I'm proud of the efforts being made in NSW to support people impacted by cancer.
"Our cancer services are truly among the state's best, with our health specialists dedicated to delivering safe, world-class care to people living with and beyond cancer.
"We're committed to doing what is needed to prevent cancer, improve access to care and support our expert clinicians and researchers to make the discoveries needed to save lives.
"But let's also remember that each of us can take simple steps to prevent our risk of cancer.
"I encourage everyone to visit the Cancer Institute website to learn simple tips you can use to adopt the six health habits."
Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O'Brien AM:
"In NSW someone is diagnosed with cancer around every 10 minutes, with the number of people diagnosed with cancer set to rise exponentially over coming years.
"Cancer affects no two people in the same way and this World Cancer Day I urge everyone to seek help if they notice changes to their health and as a community, encourage their loved ones to do the same.
"We can all take steps to reduce our cancer risk by taking advantage of regular cancer screening if eligible, and by exercising more, eating healthier foods, wearing sunscreen, drinking less alcohol and not smoking or vaping."
For more information on cancer prevention and screening, including NSW's breast, bowel or cervical cancer screening programs visit www.cancer.nsw.gov.au.
