Every 29 seconds someone in the world will find out they have cancer

Since 2007 Tour de Cure has raised over $5.5 million for cancer research, support and prevention project.


Cancer does not discriminate. 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women will have a form of cancer before they are 75 years old.
 

Here are some real facts about cancer and what you can do to prevent it.

So what is cancer?

Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Australia. It is not one illness but can affect us in more than 100 different illnesses. You will have heard of many of the common forms such as breast cancer or lung cancer, but there are many more.
 

It is called cancer when the normal functions of the cells in your body go wrong. In particular when they start to grow and reproduce too quickly, or do not die when they are normally supposed to.
 

This can occur for a number of reasons. The cells are damaged, the cell mutates due to exposure to toxic substances, or maybe an infection.
 

As the cells multiply they form a clump of abnormal cells. This is called a tumour. There are two types of tumours. Firstly when all the cells stay together in one place and do not break away. This is called a benign tumour.
 

More commonly, the abnormal cells break away from the original tumour and travel around the bosy in the blood stream. They are then able to lodge themselves in new places and start to reproduce clumps of cells as well. These are called malignant tumours.
 

The new sites where cells start to create new clumps of cancer cells are called metastases.
 

Is is the malignant tumour that can cause real problems, and if not treated early enough it may become life threatening.
 

Cancer statistics in Australia
 

• 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women will have a form of cancer before they are 75 years old. This increases to 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women by 85 years*.
  
   
• Over 450,000 skin cancers are found each year, and about 110,000 new cases of other forms of cancer. There were 100,514 new cancers diagnosed in 2005, the first time the rate has reached six figures*.

• The most commonly diagnosed cancers in order include: (2005 figures)
  
  - Prostate (16,349)
  - Colorectal (13,076)
  - Breast (12,265)
  - Skin (10,684)
  - Lung (9,182)*
  
  and account for more than 60% of all cases. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death.

• 1,463 people a day are told they have cancer. More than 43,000 people are expected to die from cancer in 2010*.
  
   
• The numbers are increasing as the population ages. Although there is some good news - the death rate has fallen by 15% in the last 30 years*.

Cancer fact

There are a number of chemical, physical and biological agenct that have been shown to trigger the mistakes in the cell blueprint that cause cancer. These are called carcinogens and include tobacco, ultraviolent radiation and asbestos.

Kids with Cancer
 

500 kids are diagnosed each year.
 

The most common cancers in children are:

• Leukaemia (cancer of the blood)
• Brain cancers
• Cancer in the central nervous system

Almost 9 out of 10 children diagnosed with cancer are effectively treated and go on to live normal lives.

There is good news
 

• More than 60% of cancers are treated successfully*.
• Survivial rates have improved by 20% over the last 10 years and continue to improve all the time.
• 80% of people with breast or prostate cancer survive more than five years after diagnosis.

Can I do something to prevent getting cancer?
 

Yes! 60% of all cancers are preventable*.
 

The things you can do include:
 

• A well balanced diet including fruit and vegetables
• Limit the intake of high fat animal proteins (red meat)
• Avoid smoking or exposure to second hand smoke
• Avoid unprotected exposure to the sun
• Moderation in alcohol consumption
• Exercise for 30 minutes a day at least 5 times a week
• Know your family history
• Practice safe sex if outside a commited relationship
• Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals
• Regular self examinations... and
• Talk to your doctor about a regular check up

How can I get checked?
 

A regular screening habit will help catch any signs of cancer early. The earlier you detect it the better your chances of beating it.

 

For women:
 

Breast Screen Australia

• Women over 40 can attend
• Commonwealth funded mammograms
• 500 locations plus mobile units

Contact

Email: cancerscreening@health.gov.au

Phone: 13 20 50 (local call cost)

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National Cervical Screening Programme

• For women from 18-70 years of age
• Funded screening
• Pap smears at least every two years
• Vaccination of girls 9-26 years of age

Contact

Email: cancerscreening@health.gov.au

Phone: 13 15 56 (local call cost)

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For men:

Prostate Screening

• For men over 50 years and a family history
• An annual examination
• PSA testing

Contact

Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20
Email: cancerscreening@health.gov.au
Phone: 1800 118 868

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^{*Source: Cancer Council - www.cancer.org.au}