Page 3542 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 September 2015
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The report also highlights that over the second half of the decade, the commonwealth government’s share of total health spending fell from 43.8 per cent in 2008-09 to 41.2 per cent in 2013-14, while the state and territory and local government share has remained fairly stable since 2009-10, at around 26.6 per cent, the value seen in 2013-14. I think that is a context for discussing the issue that Ms Fitzharris has put up today as a matter of public importance, which is the importance of modern cancer treatment facilities for the Canberra region. We can see that health is a massive source of expenditure for Australian governments at both a federal and a state level.
Unfortunately, we are seeing a growth in some cancers that are afflicting the community. The Cancer Council of Australia website shows that, at current rates, it is expected that one in two Australian men and one in three Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, and an estimated 128,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year alone.
We are also hearing more about the potential causes. The American Society of Clinical Oncology point to growing research evidence that suggests that being overweight or obese increases one’s risk of developing many types of cancer and can also complicate treatment and worsen outcomes after a cancer diagnosis. Obesity, they say, is quickly overtaking tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer.
As many as 84,000 cancer diagnoses each year in the USA are attributed to obesity, and obesity or excess weight contributes to up to one in five cancer-related deaths. You can read out all of those statistics, background facts and research but, as members have touched on today, the reality of cancer is that it is a very personal affair and it is a matter that ripples through families, communities and workplaces. Each of us in this place undoubtedly would have many stories to tell either of being personally touched by cancer or of friends, families of friends or workmates who have been affected. I think that also demonstrates why cancer-related charities are so successful in their efforts to raise funds and fund research to help tackle the disease in the many forms that it comes in.
We know that there are incredible advances in modern medicine happening every day around the world, in both diagnostics and treatment options, and the field of oncology, or of cancer treatment, is certainly no different. As the leading cause of death in Australia and one of the more prevalent illnesses, it is no wonder that we devote so much time and resources into researching these new technologies and treatment. We are seeing advances in combination therapy, new immunotherapies and evidence-based changes to the national cervical screening program, which, together with HPV vaccination, are anticipated to reduce the number of cervical cancers by at least an additional 15 per cent.
As the health minister has just said, we recently celebrated the first-year anniversary of the opening of the Canberra Region Cancer Centre, which has been described as a world-class healthcare facility that brings together cancer treatment and related services in one purpose-built facility.
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