Plan to tackle cancer revealed

The Cancer Australia Strategic Plan 2011-2014 has been released to provide leadership and direction at a time of increasing cancer incidence.

Cancer Australia CEO, Dr Helen Zorbas, said the incidence of cancer was increasing because of the growing aged population.

“In Australia one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime,” Dr Zorbas said.

Cancer Australia and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre were amalgamated in July 2011 to form a single national cancer control agency to strengthen the Government’s focus on cancer control.

“Cancer Australia will provide national leadership, working with the health sector, to establish a shared agenda to reduce the impact of cancer in our community. It will foster collaboration and engagement across health systems, build the knowledge base in cancer and seek to shape the effectiveness of cancer control strategies at a national level.”

Dr Zorbas said the Cancer Australia Strategic Plan 2011-2014 identified key strategies to improve cancer control.

“Cancer Australia will provide consumers, clinicians, researchers and educators with access to trusted and up-to-date information to guide clinical best practice and inform consumer decision making.

“We will use evidence and innovative approaches to deliver best practice care and support,” Dr Zorbas said.