Media backgrounder: Men facing cancer in NSW
1 in 2 NSW men will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they turn 85.
19, 316 NSW men are diagnosed with cancer each year.
By this time tomorrow, 53 NSW men will have heard the words ‘you have cancer.'
The most common cancers facing men in NSW are prostate, bowel, melanoma and lung cancers.
The Australian survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two decades.
While more than 60 per cent of NSW men will now survive a cancer diagnosis, cancer remains the leading cause of death. Every year, 7,038 NSW men will lose their lives as a result of the disease.
Compared to women, NSW men are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and are less likely to survive their diagnosis.
Based on current knowledge, we believe that around half of all cancer cases can be prevented. Smoking, sun exposure, poor diet, alcohol consumption and inadequate physical activity are significant risk factors, which can be modified.
Not smoking, or giving up, is the single most effective strategy to prevent cancer. Nationally, one in nine cancer cases, and more than one in five cancer deaths (over 7700 every year) are caused by cigarette smoking.
For further information about reducing your cancer risk, NSW men can visit http://www.calltoarms.com.au/.
NSW residents with questions about cancer can call The Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
* NSW specific statistics were sourced from the Cancer Institute NSW's Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Report 2005.
Journalists seeking further information about men facing cancer in NSW should contact:
Casey Walton
Publicity Officer (Events)
The Cancer Council NSW
(02) 9334 1883 or 0413 889 283
caseyw@nswcc.org.au
