Researchers say millions of people will die unless action is taken. Source: Freepik.
Findings show that over 1.45 million Australians will die from cancer “unless there are major investments in prevention, early detection and patient care”.
The Daffodil Centre, an initiative between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, released information that detailed between 2020 and 2044, over 1.4 million people could die unless major steps are taken toward cancer research and prevention.
It went on to say that cancer diagnosis will be at approximately 4.56 million during this time period. Experts want this study to be a “blueprint” of how to control cancer treatment, prevention, and research in the future.
This study will also help researchers to find “trends” among cancer diagnosis and help to put an emphasis on cancers that may have higher death rates and frequency. Daffodil Centre Director and Chair of Cancer Council’s Cancer Screening and Immunisation Committee, Professor Karen Canfell said investment is key to saving lives.
“Every one of those 4.56 million individuals that could develop cancer in the future is a valued member of our community. Research is needed to support new breakthroughs in prevention, treatment, and care,” she said.
“Further investment is also required to increase access to the most effective existing approaches, such as national screening programs.”
Despite calls for investment, researchers believe fatality rates for some cancers will drop over the next 25 years. Lung cancer is expected to drop 43 per cent for males and 31 per cent for females while melanoma deaths will fall by 49 per cent for men and 28 per cent for women.
Tobacco control and sun protection can largely be attributed to this expected drop.
“Death rates are expected to fall, at varying rates, for most cancers, except for a few cancers which are projected to be relatively stable or increase. While this projected decline in overall cancer death rates is positive, we know that a 20% fall over the next 25 years just isn’t enough,” said Professor Canfell.
It’s also expected that bowel, breast, and cervical cancer deaths will decrease due to an increase in screening programs.
