Cancer Council commends the Australian Government on release of the National Preventative Health Strategy

The National Preventative Health Strategy has been released by the Australian Government following more than two years of consultation with health professionals and organisations, including Cancer Council.

The strategy provides an overarching and long-term approach to prevention across the nation and aims to help Australians improve their health at all stages of life through prevention, better information, targeting risk factors and addressing the broader causes of poor health and wellbeing.

In respect to cancer specifically, the strategy seeks to reduce tobacco use, increase cancer screening and prevention, improve access to and the consumption of a healthy diet, increase physical activity, improve immunisation coverage, and reduce alcohol harm.

All these measures, if executed effectively, will reduce the incidence of, morbidity and mortality from cancer.

Cancer Council Australia’s Director of Cancer Control Policy, Megan Varlow has welcomed the strategy saying, “The National Preventative Health Strategy is a step in the right direction, in reducing the incidence of cancer in Australia over the next decade.”

Currently, one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, with one in three of those cancers being preventable.

“We know that 44,000 cancer cases diagnosed in Australia each year could be prevented by modified lifestyle factors and so it’s encouraging to see the Australian Government putting in place targets that will support Australians to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

“We look forward to seeing this strategy fully funded and implemented by this government and all future governments, to ensure targets are met and ultimately Australian lives are saved from preventable diseases.”