Lincoln Size, Cancer Council SA Chief Executive
TUESDAY, February 4 is World Cancer Day, a global day of action that unites communities to work towards a cancer free future.
This World Cancer Day, the theme is “I am I will” and asks all of us to think about who we are and what is the bravest thing we can do to achieve a cancer free future.
As the only not-for-profit in the state that helps all South Australians impacted by cancer, across every stage of their cancer journey, we are proud to play a key role in working to achieve that future through our research, prevention, advocacy and support programs.
Thanks to the generous support of the South Australian community, the five year cancer survival rate now sits at 69pc, an increase of almost 20pc since 1990.
Finding cancer early and taking steps to prevent it occurring are two of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of cancer in our community.
The generous support of the community enables us to develop and deliver a range of education programs, advocacy projects and mass media campaigns that empower more people to cut their cancer risk.
Evidence shows that regular participation in national bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening programs reduces the rate of cancer mortality through early detection.
In fact, last year, news came that through a combination of screening and vaccinations, Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, making us the first country in the world to do so.
South Australian researchers, many of which are funded through Cancer Council’s Beat Cancer Project, are constantly looking at new ways to better detect, treat and live beyond cancer.
We are proud to have some of the best researchers in Australia right here in our state, who are leading the charge towards the next cancer breakthrough.
However, with 27 South Australians diagnosed with cancer every day, there’s still more work to be done.
World Cancer Day is a chance for us to celebrate our progress and commit to continue to pave the way for a future that is one day, cancer free.
On behalf of everyone at Cancer Council SA, I thank you for supporting us as we continue to strive to make that future a reality.
Lincoln Size,
Cancer Council SA Chief Executive
