Page 3536 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 September 2015
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Hannon has been appointed to this important role and is now working in collaboration with the clinicians of the Cancer Centre and has submitted a research grant in collaboration with clinicians from the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. Professor Hannon’s appointment will build research capacity in the health system and give researchers access to clinical expertise and settings.
Cancer comes in over 100 different forms and touches all demographics in our community. Whilst many cancers are unavoidable, prevention and early detection can play a significant role in improving survival rates. The World Health Organisation tells us that at least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention is vital and is one of the Minister for Health’s key priorities. By making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, regularly exercising, limiting alcohol intake and refraining from smoking, many lifestyle-related conditions can be prevented.
Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality worldwide, and about 70 per cent of the lung cancer burden can be attributed to smoking alone. There is a link between obesity and many types of cancer, such as oesophagus, colorectal, breast, endometrium and kidney. Regular physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, along with a healthy diet, will considerably reduce cancer risk.
The risk of cancer also increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types, including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. Also, in Australia we are particularly susceptible to exposure from UV radiation, in particular solar radiation. Radiation is carcinogenic to humans, causing all major types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
The ACT government are investing in health promotion and prevention services to reduce the increasing burden of chronic disease and related, more costly healthcare impacts. We are also investing in campaigns to reduce smoking during pregnancy, which is designed to have a direct heath benefit to the mother and their newborns, by reducing low weight at birth and subsequent neonatal care costs. Other specific programs supported by our recent budget include healthier work, ride or walk to school, kids at play, it’s your move, fresh tastes, smoking cessation and an interactive web-based data platform. The programs support the ACT government priority to invest in preventive health services to promote physical and emotional wellbeing, prevent disease across the ACT community and support the government’s zero growth target.
Early intervention is also invaluable. If detected in the early stages, cancer can be treated successfully. Examples where early detection and intervention have been successful in reducing mortality rates include breast cancer and skin cancer. The lesson for all of us is to be vigilant about our own health and that of our friends and family. Encouraging those we love to undergo recommended screening tests such as pap smears and prostate checks, and not ignoring persistent coughs, changeable moles and lumps, will go a long way to reducing rates of cancer deaths. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts cancer will still occur and it is important that we have the health facilities and other supports available for those suffering this all too common disease.
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