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All political parties urged to take action on cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death in South Australia and one in two of us will be diagnosed by the age of 85. During the term of the next South Australian government over 36,000 South Australians will be diagnosed with cancer, at a cost to the community of nearly $1.5 billion.
With an election looming, Cancer Council SA calls upon the next state government to act decisively to reduce the impact of cancer on the lives of all South Australians. Cancer prevention programs and services have made progress but policy change must be introduced and implemented for real change.
All South Australians must have fair access to cancer treatment—regardless of where they live in the state. People living in rural areas have worse cancer outcomes, including survival rates, often because they do not have easy access to treatment centres. Not only must they cope with their cancer diagnosis but must also endure the hardship of travelling for hours to Adelaide for treatment – often staying here for long periods of time – all at considerable personal expense.
Whilst the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) provides some support with travel and accommodation, it has not been comprehensively reviewed since it began 20 years ago. We call upon the next state government to improve PATS and provide adequate support, to reduce the financial burden of accessing cancer treatment for country South Australians.
Timely referral to appropriate medical practitioners is a marker of quality cancer care. Long waiting times can mean more advanced cancers with a lower chance of successful treatment and in some cases, survival. The time taken from GP referral to first specialist appointment and then to treatment must be monitored, appropriate waiting time standards must be established and the results must be monitored.
Research is one key to preventing, treating and beating cancer. A South Australian Cancer Research Collaborative comprised of researchers, policy makers, service providers, community and commercial partners would take a statewide approach to integrating and implementing research linked to clinical and health policy delivery.
Tobacco smoking is Australia’s largest preventable cause of death and disease. Nationally it causes 15,000 deaths and more than 1,100 SA deaths every year. This state is well behind the other states on tobacco control. In fact, in 2009, SA received the Australian Medical Association’s infamous 'Dirty Ashtray Award'.
Point-of-sale displays of tobacco products, one of the last remaining forms of tobacco advertising, need to be eliminated, as in other states - no exceptions. Staff and patrons in outdoor alfresco dining and drinking areas should be protected from second-hand smoke by making those areas smoke-free. The evidence is strong - quit smoking campaigns work and extra funding will save lives by supporting those who want to quit and preventing a new generation from starting.
Many cancers are linked to weight and over half of South Australians aged 15 years and over are overweight or obese. We need ongoing political commitment to encourage people to lead an active, healthy lifestyle and a greater focus on factors which influence young people’s eating habits.
Expanding the healthy eating program, Right Bite, to all SA schools, protecting children from unhealthy food advertising on TV, and creating active communities through urban design and planning, will all help to promote healthy weight.
We must also take further action to prevent skin cancer. We ask the next government to implement mandatory sun protection policy for all schools and to invest in community skin cancer awareness campaigns as in other states.
We have the knowledge to reduce the impact of cancer on all South Australians. We call on all political parties to Unite in the Fight to beat cancer and lead the way.
Professor Brenda Wilson
Chief Executive Cancer Council SA  Top |
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