Tara Murray
Nearly 1000 Brimbank residents are diagnosed with cancer each year, new Victorian Cancer Registry figures have revealed.
The figures released by the Cancer Council last week show that 951 people are diagnosed with cancer in Brimbank each year, with 321 locals losing their lives to the disease.
Of the new cancer cases in Brimbank each year, on average 102 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, 37 with melanoma, 115 with bowel cancer, 122 with breast cancer and 120 with prostate cancer.
The new data was released to coincide with World Cancer Day, which was last Thursday.
Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper said the organisation is encouraging every Victorian to act this World Cancer Day.
One third of cancers can be prevented, with simple lifestyle changes, he said.
“Whether it’s going to get your cancer screening done that you’ve been putting off, making a call to the Quitline, or remembering your hat and being SunSmart, there’s so many actions – big and small – that we can all take to reduce our cancer risk,” Mr Harper said.
“In 2020 many Victorians delayed general health check-ups and screening because they were nervous about visiting doctors due to COVID-19.
“I urge all Brimbank locals that now is the time to put you and your health back at the top of your ‘to do’ list.”
Mr Harper said that cancer screening saves lives and is one of the most effective ways to detect the early signs of cancer, when successful treatment is more likely.
He said the council was concerned to see a drop in screening rates across the board last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“If you have received an invitation to participate in a cancer screening program, please do not delay.”
In 2019, 35,924 Victorians were diagnosed with cancer and 11,329 lost their lives to the disease.
The five most common cancers in Victoria are prostate, breast, bowel, lung and melanoma, collectively accounting for 57 per cent of new cancers and 46 per cent of cancer deaths in 2019.
