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Victoria's Cancer Action Plan 2008 - 2011

Innovation in care - saving lives

In December 2008, Premier John Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews launched Victoria's Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011.

Cancer is the greatest cause of mortality in Victoria and the cause of considerable suffering for the Victorian community. With around 70 Victorians per day newly diagnosed with cancer, this new Cancer Action Plan will ensure that the cancer prevention and care Victorians receive is the best that it can be, informed by the latest research and state-of-the-art technologies.

The Cancer Action Plan outlines a medium term vision for cancer reform that will offer standardised and high quality cancer care to all Victorians, regardless of whether they live in metropolitan, regional or rural Victoria.

This is a comprehensive action plan with measurable targets across four key action areas. In this plan, ambitious targets have been set and investments made across four key action areas – prevention, research, treatment and support.

• Action area 1: Reducing major cancer risk factors in the population and maximising effective screening
• Action area 2: Ensuring rapid translation of research into effective treatments and clinical care
• Action area 3: Investing in innovative treatments and technologies and sustainable integrated care systems
• Action area 4: Supporting and empowering patients and their carers
  throughout their cancer journey

Through implementation of the Cancer Action Plan, we aim to further increase survival rates by 10 per cent by 2015. Through the investment by the Victorian Government to date, and the commitment of our talented clinicians and researchers, we have developed a strong alignment across our cancer control agencies and services that is unparalleled in Australia. This Cancer Action Plan builds on our strengths to unlock the potential for further improvements in managing the burden of cancer on the Victorian community.

Target highlights include:

• 80 per cent of newly diagnosed survivors of childhood cancer to have a long-term follow up plan by 2012
• Increase rates of immunisation for cervical cancer to 75 per cent for Year 7 secondary school girls by 2011
• Invest more than $40 million over the next four years on translational research activity through the Victorian Cancer Agency
• Increase breast cancer screening rates by offering 20,000 additional screens a year by 2013 and,
• Reduce smoking rates among adults by 20 per cent by 2013

The highlights of the Cancer Action Plan include:

Action area 1: Reducing major cancer risk factors in the population and maximising effective screening

• Increasing efforts to modify behaviour and lifestyle risk factors for cancer such as smoking, obesity and sun exposure
• Reducing the prevalence of smoking in the Victorian adult population by 20 percent by 2013 through anti smoking social marketing and other campaigns
• Working with the Commonwealth to enhance the bowel cancer screening program and agree on a target participation rate of 60 percent in the eligible population by 2011
• Expanding access to genetic screening and new diagnostic technology, especially for those living in rural and regional areas.

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Action area 2: Ensuring rapid translation of research into effective treatments and clinical care

• Working through the Victorian Cancer Agency to increase our cancer research capacity, and to translate research findings into improvements in early diagnosis and treatments for specific cancers
• Increasing the proportion of patients enrolled in cancer clinical trials which could ultimately improve cancer outcomes by introduction of new therapies
• Targeting investment in cancer research to maximise improvements in survival rates and to build on Victoria’s leadership in biotechnology.

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Action area 3: Investing in innovative treatments and technologies and sustainable integrated care systems

• Developing a state-wide strategy to both introduce and replace specialised equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
• Building on our Integrated Cancer Services (ICS ) networks to strengthen links between metropolitan and regional cancer services, with clear role designation to specify which types of cancer treatment can be provided locally, and which require referral to larger centres
• Investing in centres of excellence by planning for a new Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Parkville, developing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre at Austin Health, and planning for expansion of our metropolitan and regional cancer centres
• Developing a strategic approach to clinical cancer data management to support information flow and linkage across the patient pathway.
  

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Action area 4: Supporting and empowering patients and their carers throughout their cancer journey

• Increasing the number of patients assessed and treated by specialist multidisciplinary teams
• Increasing consumer participation in the development of cancer care policies as well as in cancer service delivery and research
• Establishing a new state-wide service for adolescents and young adults, and a program to manage the long-term effects of treatment for survivors of childhood cancer
• Expanding palliative care services to give patients and carers real choice about end-of-life care.

For further information on this project, please contact Jon Buttery, Manager, Cancer Action Plan on Tel (03) 9096 1330 or email at canceractionplan@dhs.vic.gov.au

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