Medical News Summary: Australia’s cancer death rate is low but incidence of new cancers is relatively high

About: Australia’s cancer death rate is low but incidence of new cancers is relatively high
Date: 15 December 2004
Source: The World Today
Author: Brigid Glanville
Medical News Summary (summary of medical news story as reported by The World Today): Australia has a lower cancer death rate than the US or the UK but there has been a 34% increase in cancer diagnosis from 1991 to 2001 (AIHW). It has one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the developed world. The low death rate is probably due to the lower incidence of smoking related cancer which is generally quite aggressive. The increase is probably due to the high rate of melanoma from sun exposure as well as better diagnosis. Also, rising obesity and declining physical activity may be contributing to the increase in bowel and breast cancer. Breast and colorectal cancer and melanoma generally have the highest incidence in Australia but lung cancer has a relatively low incidence. Low cervical and breast cancer death rates are probably due to the screening programs which allow early detection.
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1265706.htm
Related Disease Topics: Cancer, Smoking, Lung cancer, Melanoma, Obesity, Breast cancer, Bowel cancer, Cervical cancer

Related Medical News Channels: This medical news summary article refers to the following medical channel categories:

Exercise
Diagnosis and cancer
Diagnosis and smoking
Diagnosis and lung cancer
Diagnosis and melanoma
Diagnosis and obesity
Diagnosis and breast cancer
Diagnosis and bowel cancer
Diagnosis and cervical cancer

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