Sunday, September 27 2020

The Leukaemia Foundation has today welcomed the Federal Government’s release[1] of the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer, a first of-its-kind report to unite Australia towards a goal of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

Released today by Federal Minister for Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, the groundbreaking National Action Plan was developed by the Blood Cancer Taskforce together with the broader blood cancer community and provides an evidence-based blueprint setting the national agenda to cure and conquer blood cancers.

It is the roadmap to achieve the vision of zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035, underpinned by zero preventable deaths regardless of geography or background, through equitable access to best practice treatment and care for all Australians.

The release of the National Action Plan during Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September comes one year since the Minister established the Blood Cancer Taskforce and charged the unique collaboration of 29 of the country’s top blood cancer experts, patients and leaders with developing the agenda for change. The move was prompted by the release of the Leukaemia Foundation’s State of the Nation: Blood Cancer in Australia report.

Today’s National Action Plan launch includes Federal Government funding support to continue the work of the Taskforce into the future and kickstart implementation of actions within the plan.

Leukaemia Foundation Acting CEO Alex Struthers said the significance of today’s announcement for Australians living with blood cancer could not be overstated.

“Today, together, we turn the tables on blood cancer in this country,” she said.

“The release of the National Action Plan backed by the support of the Federal Government marks a paradigm shift to change the face of treatment and survival outcomes for all Australians facing blood cancer.

“We congratulate the Federal Government for elevating the growing issue of blood cancer to the national agenda. This is a vital moment in time which will lead to significant, positive change for people across our country living with this disease for generations to come.”

“We are delighted to continue as the lead organisation to support the Taskforce in its work to implement the recommendations of the National Action Plan.”

Ms Struthers said the Leukaemia Foundation was proud to have played a key role in bringing the issue of blood cancer into the national spotlight by commissioning the State of the Nation report – a comprehensive, evidence-based report which identified that blood cancer is more significant and prevalent than ever before.

“For the past 45 years, the Leukaemia Foundation has supported and advocated for people living with blood cancer, standing with every Australian affected by this disease to be their voice and their someone-to-turn-to and fighting to get them access to the best treatment, care and support,” she said.

“Through the release of the State of the Nation report last year, we began ushering in a new era of change for the national blood cancer community, and, united with that community, we have worked hard since to build momentum towards targeted national action to cure and conquer blood cancers, which is what we are seeing today.”

Ms Struthers said while Australia had strong health systems across the country which were achieving remarkable results in improving blood cancer survival rates and treatment, there was more work to be done to improve access to treatment and supportive care.

“The Leukaemia Foundation wants to ensure all Australians living with blood cancer have the same access to the best treatments, services and care, at the right time, no matter where they live. Breaking down these barriers is our priority,” she said.

“It is our hope that implementation of the National Action Plan will unite Australia’s blood cancer community and governments to bridge gaps in treatment and care, and, ultimately, realise what is now a shared vision to see zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.”

The National Strategic Action Plan identifies four major priorities to improve outcomes for people living with blood cancer and their families:
•    Achieve best practice
•    Empower patients and their families
•    Accelerate research
•    Enable Access to novel and specialised therapies

“The National Action Plan shows us that through coordinated and strategic collaboration between patients, patient organisations, clinicians, researchers, industry and government, we could see greater access to evidence-based treatments and care nationally, which will improve survival rates for Australians living with blood cancer,” Ms Struthers said.

“Equally important, it also shows us the potential to collectively reimagine how we are all walking alongside people living with blood cancer, empowering them throughout their journey and supporting them to live full lives after diagnosis.

“The Leukaemia Foundation celebrates the National Action Plan as an exciting opportunity to transform blood cancer treatment and care. We look forward to joining with the broader blood cancer community to support its implementation and, ultimately, save and improve thousands of Australian lives today and into the future.”

View the full National Strategic Action Plan here.

A complete list of Blood Cancer Taskforce members is available here.

Leukaemia Foundation spokespeople are available for comment by contacting the Leukaemia Foundation media team on media@leukaemia.org.au

END

About Blood Cancer in Australia
Incidence and Mortality[2]:

• Every year, 17,321 Australians will be newly diagnosed with blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. This is equivalent to 47 people every day or one person every 31 minutes.
• Incidence of blood cancer continues to grow. Over the past 10 years, incidence of blood cancer has increased by over 30%.
• Blood cancer does not discriminate. It can develop in anyone, can occur at any age and at any stage of life across all states and territories, from children to adolescents and young adults to working adults with families and older Australians.
• When combined, blood cancers are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Australia, and the most significant cause of non-preventable cancer death.
• One in 10 Australians diagnosed with cancer will have a blood cancer.
• Over 5,600 people in Australia are expected to lose their life to blood cancer or related blood disorders this year. This is equivalent to 15 people per day in Australia.
• Blood cancer is one of the highest causes of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives than breast cancer (3,031) and melanoma (1,375) combined.
• Approximately one in nine cancer deaths in Australia will be due to blood cancer.
• There are no screening programs available for blood cancers, and there is no way to prevent blood cancer through lifestyle change.

Prevalence[3]:

• Based on AIHW data, the State of the Nation: Blood Cancer in Australia report identified issues with the under notification of blood cancers in Australia and anticipates that more than 110,000 people are currently living with blood cancer or a related blood disorder in Australia today.