The Department of Health is to set up a national taskforce and commission an action plan to improve the diagnosis, treatment and the understanding of blood cancers.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said three major types of blood cancer – leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma – accounted for almost nine per cent of all cancers diagnosed and almost 10 per cent of all cancer deaths.
“In 2019, more than 12,000 Australians will be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma,” Mr Hunt said.
“Survivors can face lifelong side effects so we must find ways to ease the burden on adults, children, their families and the wider community.”
He said the action plan would concentrate collective efforts to drive better health outcomes and improve survival for all Australians diagnosed with blood cancer.
“It will develop a comprehensive blueprint for action and provide its advice and recommendations to the Government,” the Minister said.
He said the Blood Cancer Taskforce will be co-chaired by the Chief Executive of the Leukaemia Foundation, Bill Petch and Director of Cancer Medicine and Haematology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, John Seymour.
Mr Hunt said the taskforce would work with leading clinicians, Cancer Australia, researchers, industry and patient groups in the blood cancer community to recommend actions across the cancer control continuum that would reduce mortality and improve outcomes for people with blood cancer.
