Cancer still the big on our island

More than 1200 Tasmanians will die from cancer this year, many more than is likely from COVID-19, warns

EVERY day above ground is a good day, so they say — but some days take on some additional importance. Yesterday was World Cancer Day. But in fact, every day for us at Cancer Council Tasmania is world cancer day, because every day we are reminded of the importance of taking action to eliminate cancer from our lives.

World Cancer Day is an international campaign to incite actions that will lead progress in reducing the global impact of cancer. Those actions can make or inspire change that will be in place long after World Cancer Day has passed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has understandably commanded the headlines for the past year — and that is likely to be the case for some time yet.

We are still a long way from going back, if ever, to what we considered a normal life.

But it is important to understand that cancer has not stopped because of COVID-19.

Every Tasmanian has a cancer story. Each year more than 3400 Tasmanians will receive a cancer diagnosis and more than 1200 people will lose their lives to the disease.

With or without COVID19, the impact of a cancer diagnosis and what was considered a normal life for many Tasmanians is changed forever.

We know that cancer does not discriminate between age, gender or race but there are things that we can do which will reduce our cancer risk.

The World Cancer Day theme of “I Am and I Will” is more than a personal commitment, it is designed to reach and empower a broader audience.

Any action, whether big or small, can make a lasting and positive change.

A personal commitment to eliminate cancer goes well beyond the New Year’s resolution that sounded fine at the time but fails to get off the starting blocks until you reiterate it the following year.

With one in three cancers being preventable, we encourage everyone to adopt those behaviours which can reduce your cancer risk.

One of the most obvious is to get checked. Make sure you follow up on issues that affect your health and implore others to do the same.

Many cancers, if detected early, can be managed and treated with excellent outcomes.

The five-year survival rate post-diagnosis across all cancers is now 69 per cent, a huge increase from the 47 per cent of some 30 years ago.

Monitoring our health is important to us and those we love.

Don’t be complacent and procrastinate on making an appointment to get checked. How often do we hear that old adage, “don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today”.

During the past 12 months we know that many have deferred getting checked for cancer. Statistics nationally and in Tasmania indicated a significant reduction in referrals and cancer diagnosis, predominantly because people were not seeing their health professionals.

It’s likely that this will lead to the diagnosis of late stage cancers which do not always lead to good outcomes.

Companies and businesses are powerful initiators of positive change. Occupational cancers are preventable.

Their support of “I Am and I Will” can influence and inspire action among their employees, investors, suppliers and customers.

Organisations can show leadership by instilling activities within their workforce and business connections related to actions which can reduce cancer risk.

Organisations have a responsibility to ensure their employees are not exposed to the risks that can cause cancer.

Governments must show commitment to healthier futures for our population.

Investment into equitable health prevention activities is an investment with a positive return, which although may not be within an election cycle, should not be a deterrent for investment.

Piecemeal investments which are not underpinned by long-term strategies may appease some areas within society, but without governments being committed to achieving positive health outcomes through continued investment into preventive health, the current funds being made available will not put a dent in the quantum issues facing our health system.

In 2020, Cancer Council Tasmania also felt the impacts of COVID-19, but with generous support and the commitment from our staff and volunteers, our support centres, services and programs are rolling back out.

“I Am and I Will” are words of meaning, they instil a commitment to change.

As an organisation, We Are and We Will stay committed in continuing to minimise the incidence and impact of cancer on all Tasmanians.