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Commitment To Cancer Saving Thousands Of Lives

22 July 2016

Victoria has set itself the ambitious target of saving 10,000 lives from cancer in the next 10 years as it launches a co-ordinated plan to tackle the insidious disease.

The Victorian Cancer Plan 2016-20, launched today by Health Minister Jill Hennessy, pulls together a range of initiatives in prevention, detection, treatment and research to support people who develop cancer and give them the best chance of beating it.

The plan is the first developed under the Improving Cancer Outcomes Act 2014, and reflects the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to a healthy future by providing Victoria with a long term approach to cancer.

It sets a target to save 10,000 lives by 2025 and provides key directions on how we can work to reduce the burden of cancer and ensure Victorians living with the disease have the best treatment, support and care.

Victoria is recognised as a significant contributor to national and global agendas to prevent cancer and deliver effective cures through improved treatment.

The Cancer Plan puts patients first and recognises the critical role of our cancer sector in our work to strengthen and improve the system.

Ms Hennessy also announced $2.92 million in grants for 13 projects to help better support people living with or who have survived cancer.

The Victorian Cancer Survivorship program invests in innovative approaches to improve how we support Victorians recovering from cancer. Projects funded in round two have a strong focus on supporting young people and those patients in regional Victoria.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to saving thousands of lives and helping prevent cancer through the tough targets we have set ourselves.”

“Every day in Victoria, around 84 people will be diagnosed with cancer and 29 people will die a cancer related death. We want a better future for people who contract cancer, and to consign these statistics to the past.”

“Cancer survivorship is emerging as a key issue due to the increasing number of people living with cancer in the community and our latest range of grants will help them live better lives.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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