‘Wake-up’ call for Tassie on cancer stats

TASMANIANS are more likely to die from cancer than people in other states and analysts say the data should serve as a wake-up call to improve local early detection and treatment options.

Tasmania has much higher death rates from all major cancers — excluding skin cancer — than the rest of the nation, even when age differences are taken into account, the latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows.

The number of Tasmanians dying from all cancers combined is 13 per cent higher than the nation as a whole.

The death rate for colorectal cancer in Tasmania is even more alarming — 18 per cent higher than the national figure.

The figures cover a five- year period from 2009 to 2013 — which the institute says are the most recent available from state and territory authorities.

Health policy analyst Martyn Goddard said the data raised some serious questions.

“Are cancers being detected early enough to save people’s lives?’’ he said.

“Does this have anything to do with people’s ability to get to the doctor in time.

“Given the capacity of our system to deal with patients in Tasmania this is what you would suspect.

“These figures should serve as a wake-up call to improve early detection and treatment of cancer in this state — and urgently.”

Cancer Council Tasmania chief executive Penny Egan said Tasmanians had extremely high participation rates in national cancer screening programs.

“We have the second highest participation rate in the national bowel screening program, behind South Australia, and we are very high in breast screening compared to other states,” Mrs Egan said.

“But the statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare certainly indicate that we have more work to do.

“Early detection is critical and I would encourage all men and women in Tasmania to get checked regularly, by their GPs and by participating in the national programs.”