Australia’s rising cancer concern: Cancer Council Queensland reveals cancer diagnosis rate has tripled in 31 years

Health experts in Australia are extremely worried due to the rising number of cancer cases Down Under. Recently, the Cancer Council has reported that the rate of cancer diagnosis in Queensland has more than tripled in a 31-year period.

The reason for this is believed to be the ageing community and increasing population. There were 8,274 cancer cases in 1982, which shockingly jumped to 26,335 in 2013. According to the ABC, half of the Queensland population will be diagnosed with cancer before 80 years of age, and one in seven will die from the deadly disease.

“Queenslanders should participate in recommended cancer screening, quit smoking, eat healthily, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, stay sun smart and limit alcohol intake to reduce the risk of preventable cancers,” said Prof. Jeff Dunn, chief executive of Cancer Council Queensland.

However, there is good news, too. Although the number of cases has improved dramatically, survival rates have improved as well. According to Dunn, the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Queensland in the year 2013 were colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

“Increased awareness about early detection and screening programs is increasing diagnosis. But what it's also doing is leading to improved survival rates, because we detect that disease much earlier so it can be much more successfully treated,” he said.

If all cancer types are taken into account, the average five-year relative survival rate was 69.9 percent, up from 53 percent from 1982 to 1989.

Another burgeoning problem in Australia is the rising skin cancer cases. Australian actor Hugh Jackman recently received treatment for his fifth skin cancer, urging people to use sunscreens whenever they go out in the sun or expose body parts to sun’s rays. According to the actor, he has had five skin cancers removed since 2013, and he wanted his fans to get regular skin tests done.

The Cancer Council said two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. Close to half a million people are treated every year. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in men, with almost double the incidence compared to women. Around 500 people die every year due to non-melanoma cancers in Australia.