Planning for More Survivors
Cancer affects one in three Victorians. Each day, about 70 Victorians are diagnosed with cancer, so most families know someone who has been touched by the disease.
The Cancer Action Plan, launched by Premier John Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews last week, outlines a vision to increase cancer five-year survival rates by 10 per cent by 2015.
Aspects of the plan
Some of the major targets contained in the plan include:
- 80 per cent of newly diagnosed survivors of childhood cancer to have a long-term follow up plan by 2012
- increasing breast cancer screening appointments offered by 20,000 per annum
- increasing rates of immunisation for cervical cancer to 75 per cent for Year 7 girls by 2011
- investing more than $40 million over the next four years on translational research activity as part of a nearly $80 million investment in the Victorian Cancer Agency over the next four years
- reducing smoking rates among adults by 20 per cent by 2013.
The Premier also announced $10.5 million for the demolition of the former Dental Hospital (FDH) site in Parkville. This followed on from the Premier’s announcement in September 2007 that the FDH was the preferred site to develop a world-class cancer precinct. Commencing the demolition now will expedite the construction of the proposed Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Parkville CCC). Funding for the proposed Parkville CCC will be considered by Government in 2009.
Above: Premier John Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews discuss the plan with cancer patient, Lois Kennedy
Further information
For more information or to download a copy of the plan visit the Victorian Government Cancer Initiatives website.