The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Cancer Data in Australia 2021 report, released this week, confirms more than 50 Australians will be diagnosed with a blood cancer every day this year.
Leukaemia Foundation said this is an increase from 47 people per day in 2020. The report also confirms blood cancers as Australia’s second most diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.
The report revealed incidence rates for cancers overall have stabilised since 2009. However, blood cancer is going against that trend, rising from 12,294 Australians diagnosed with the disease annually in 2009 to 18,485 expected to be diagnosed in 2021.
“While overall cancer incidence rates in Australia have been levelling out thanks to the introduction of national screening programs, improved early detection and improved treatments, unfortunately blood cancer incidence rates have risen by more than 50% since 2009,” said Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti.
“Unlike other cancers, blood cancer can develop in anyone at any stage of life - there are no screening programs to detect it, there’s no way to prevent it through lifestyle change and in many cases blood cancer symptoms can be mistaken for infections like the flu and this can result in a delayed diagnosis.
“This is all a stark contrast to cancers that originate in a particular organ or area of the body as a solid mass which have national screening and detection campaigns in place, and as this report shows, that early diagnosis has been key to driving down mortality for these cancers over time."
Mr Tanti said there was more work to be done for the 15 Australians who lose their life to blood cancer every day.
“These numbers truly reinforce the critical importance of organisations like the Leukaemia Foundation and groups like the Blood Cancer Taskforce which are uniting the national blood cancer community to build awareness and improve understanding of blood cancer, ensure earlier detection and deliver better treatment options that will ultimately change and save lives,” he said.
"Australia now has a National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer which maps a clear path to improve outcomes for people living with blood cancer and their families by catalysing health system reform, accelerating research, enabling access to novel and specialised therapies and empowering patients. If we are serious about achieving the blood cancer community's shared vision of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035, we need urgent and real action on this plan today.
“This report clearly shows movement on the National Action Plan - together with the Leukaemia Foundation’s work to break down barriers to accessing the right treatment, supportive care, education and information about blood cancer at the right time, wherever you live - has never been more vital.”