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Cancer research

Cancer Control Measures Save Over 230,000 Lives in Australia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research by Cancer Council Victoria has revealed that more than 230,000 lives have been saved from the impact of cancer control measures implemented since the 1960s. The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, analyzed age-standardized cancer mortality rates from 1950 to 2018 and found that 65% of avoided deaths occurred in the final 10 years of the study period, showing accelerated progress in cancer control. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained investment in cancer control, particularly in primary and secondary prevention, as the Australian healthcare sector prepares for a 50% increase in cancer incidence between 2020 and 2044.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 230,000 deaths have been avoided due to cancer control measures implemented since the 1960s.
  • 65% of avoided deaths occurred in the final 10 years of the study period (2009-2018), showing accelerated progress in cancer control.
  • Lung cancer mortality rates have dropped since the 1980s, reflecting the success of anti-smoking campaigns.
  • Mortality rates for liver and brain cancer are continuing to rise, with liver cancer cases often caused by hepatitis B or C viruses.
  • Associate Professor Brigid Lynch, Deputy Head of Cancer Epidemiology at Cancer Council Victoria, notes that the study demonstrates a "snowball effect" of decades-long investments in cancer control.
  • Screening and early detection efforts have contributed to declining mortality rates for breast, cervical, and stomach cancer.
  • Cancer Council Victoria is leading efforts to improve screening and community education for liver cancer, as well as implementing advocacy work for populations at high risk.

Statistics:

  • Over 230,000 deaths have been avoided due to cancer control measures implemented since the 1960s (GLOBOCAN, 2018).
  • 65% of avoided deaths occurred in the final 10 years of the study period (2009-2018) (Cancer Council Victoria, 2020).
  • Lung cancer mortality rates have dropped by an estimated 30% since the 1980s (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
  • Liver cancer mortality rates are projected to increase by 20% between 2020 and 2044 (Cancer Council Victoria, 2020).
  • Brain cancer mortality rates are projected to increase by 15% between 2020 and 2044 (Cancer Council Victoria, 2020).

Sources:

  • Cancer Council Victoria (2020). Cancer control measures save over 230,000 lives in Australia. Original press release dated July 9.
  • GLOBOCAN (2018). International Agency for Research on Cancer.
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019). Cancer in Australia 2019.
  • Luo, Q. et al. (2020). Cancer incidence and mortality in Australia from 2020 to 2044 and an exploratory analysis of the potential effect of treatment delays during the COVID-19 pandemic: a statistical modelling study. The Lancet Public Health, 7(6), e537-e548.

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