Aussie Cancer Rates: Annual Report Released -- MesoLink.org -- 09-16-04

The Australian Health Department has released annual report figures relating to cancer levels in the country, highlighting the figures of many types of deadly cancer amongst West Aussie residents.

The report states that cancer figures appear to be improving overall, but there are still areas of concern.

Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure is one of the types of cancer that raises concern. This cancer can affect the lungs, abdomen or heart, and many Australians have already been diagnosed with it, a good proportion of which have already died.

By 2020, around 18,000 Australians are expected to die from this disease. Well above average mesothelioma rates seems to be amongst male Aborigines.

However, the report stated that the most common cancer amongst West Australians aged 15-39 was skin melanoma. Breast cancer was highlighted as the most common form of female cancer, although cervical cancer is also at well above average rates at present.

Incidents of prostate cancer in men also seem to be rising, according to the annual report.

The report concluded that around one in three men in Western Australia will get cancer before they reach the age of 75, with this figure falling just slightly to one in four for women in Western Australia.