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Cancer survival rates increase

By Tamara McLean | August 22, 2008

AUSTRALIANS are far more likely to survive cancer in the short-term than they were two decades ago, according to new figures which celebrate the success of improved detection and treatments. But while there were vast improvements in major cancers like breast and prostate, there was no change in survival for notoriously hard to treat cancers of the brain and bladder.

The report, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, showed that the number of people still alive five years after a cancer diagnosis has increased by 30 per cent since 1986.

For women, survival after five years increased from 53 to 64 per cent over that time, while the increase for men, from 41 to 58 per cent, was even more marked.

"The greatest increases in survival were seen in the 50 to 69 year age range," said Dr Mark Short, from the institute's cancer monitoring unit.

"This was due, at least in part, to screening programs."

The greatest improvements were seen in prostate, kidney and breast cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

There was no change in survival of brain cancer over the 20 years, and survival for bladder cancer dropped significantly in that time.

Dr Short said the cancers with the best survival chances were testicular cancer and thyroid cancer, where about 95 per cent of patients were still alive five years on.

Next best were melanoma, breast and prostate cancer, where it was 85 to 95 per cent.

The most deadly remain cancers of the pancreas, lung, brain and stomach.

The report confirmed that poorer people and those living in rural and remote areas had poorer survival rates than wealthier or city dwelling Australians.

Cancer Council Australia chief executive Professor Ian Olver said the results showed the nation's cancer control programs were working.

"The findings reflect the effectiveness of early detection and advances in chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, which are extending the lives of people diagnosed with a range of cancers," Prof Olver said.

It also suggests more support is needed for the increasing number of Australians living with cancer for longer periods, he said.

"With 655,000 Australians either living with an invasive cancer or as a long-term cancer survivor, we have to pull together as a community to support individuals and their families through the many difficulties of a cancer diagnosis," Prof Olver said.

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