Australia’s blood cancer burden increasing, new analysis shows

Blood cancer death rates in Australia have soared by a fifth in just 10 years, according to new analysis. The Leukaemia Foundation’s investigation shows the number of Australians dying from blood cancer is now DOUBLE those losing their life to melanoma¹.

Latest statistics show 4,412 people nationwide died from blood cancer in 2015, compared to 3,700 in 2006 – an increase of nearly 20 per cent¹. In NSW alone, 1,477 people died in 2015, compared to 1,254 in 2006 – an increase of 18 per cent¹.

Blood cancer remains the leading cause of death children aged 1-14¹, along with drowning. It also affects older people, particularly those aged over 55. While more children are surviving, almost half of adult blood cancer patients will lose their life.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies predicts by the turn of the next century a quarter of the population of Australia will be aged 65 years or older, compared to around 15 per cent currently².

The Leukaemia Foundation’s General Manager NSW/ACT Christine McMillan warned the causes of blood cancer were still largely, and unacceptably, unknown but an ageing population could be playing an important part in the dramatic rise.

“More people than ever are dying of blood cancer and I for one am simply not prepared to sit idly by while the numbers keep heading north. Despite being the third biggest cause of cancer death in this country, many of us still aren’t aware of the disease and the devastating impact it has on families in our communities.” she said.

Blood cancer includes diseases like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

“Research into some blood cancers, particularly lymphoma, gets relatively little Government support and so we urgently need to find ways to fund more of this critical work,” Mrs McMillan added.

“Thanks to our supporters and fundraising events like the World’s Greatest Shave, the Leukaemia Foundation is able to invest millions into blood cancer research each year - but we need to find more. We can only do that if the community rallies with us and becomes part of the solution, which will see more Australians survive blood cancer and go on to lead a better quality of life.”

You can support Australia’s blood cancer researchers by taking part in World’s Greatest Shave in March. Find out more at www.worldsgreatestshave.com 

–ENDS–

Sources:

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Causes of Death, Australia, 2015

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population Projections, Australia 2012 to 2101, 2013

About the Leukaemia Foundation

The Leukaemia Foundation the only national charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. We want more people to survive a blood cancer diagnosis and go on to live a full life. We are committed to investing in research projects which focus on improving patient outcomes and providing free support programs which aim to reduce the emotional impact of a blood cancer diagnosis. For more information please visit www.leukaemia.org.au or visit Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.