Hope for Victorian children with cancer
More Victorian children than ever are surviving their fight against cancer, with new statistics showing five-year survival rates have increased to 82 per cent.
Visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital, Minister for Health David Davis and the Cancer Council Victoria today launched the new Childhood Cancer 2010 Monograph.
“Improved cancer survival rates are very encouraging and certainly give real cause for hope for those diagnosed with cancer and their family and loved ones,” Mr Davis said.
“Cancer in childhood is a disease which has a devastating impact on families.
“This report provides us with a message of hope as more Victorian children than ever are surviving the disease.
“The five-year survival for Victorian children diagnosed with cancer is now 82 per cent compared to the 1980s when the equivalent figure was just 68 per cent,” Mr Davis said.
There are more than 150 children diagnosed with cancer every year in Victoria and about 30 will not survive the disease.
Mr Davis said the improved survival rates for childhood cancer reflect the advances made in being able to successfully treat cancer and deliver high quality care.
“We must acknowledge the contribution of the clinical community, health professionals, scientists and researchers who have led and implemented new treatments and technologies,” Mr Davis said.
“The policy makers, children’s health services and the myriad of children’s cancer non-government organisations have also contributed to improved care and support.”
Mr Davis said the Victorian Coalition Government and the Cancer Council have worked together for many years on programs that have contributed to the ongoing significant improvements in cancer survival.
“I also thank the Cancer Council for its ongoing collection of quality cancer incidence and mortality data and their role in epidemiological research,” Mr Davis said.
