Such a massive privilege to have worked with the wonderful people at Pancare to shine a light on this incredibly important area of need. I am thrilled the report could finally be made public and with fantastic government support for the amazing work the Pancare team continues to do day in and day out.
We are excited to announce the launch of the Pancare Foundation’s groundbreaking report, State of the Nation: Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers in Australia. This first-of-its-kind report sheds light on the true scale and impact of upper GI cancers in our nation. The Hon Ged Kearney Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister Health and Aged Care will launch the report at the Pancare Foundation Unite for Hope event, on Sunday, October 6th, at Princess Park, Carlton North, Victoria. The Unite for Hope event not only serves as a powerful gathering for the community but also coincides with the launch of the report that aims to illuminate the scale and impact of upper GI cancers in Australia. By unveiling this crucial report at a gathering of over 1000 attendees—many of whom are personally affected by these cancers—we create a platform for awareness, education, and advocacy. We know that Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers – including pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers – account for approximately one in five cancer deaths in Australia (18%) each year. Yet, for decades they have remained underfunded in early detection, research, treatment and supportive care. The report highlights: ➡️ Within the next decade, there is expected to be more than 200,000 new cases of upper GI cancer in Australia. Due to the poor survival outlook for patients, approximately 163,000 deaths are expected over that same period. ➡️ A significant issue is the stagnation in survival rates for upper GI cancer patients. The five-year survival rates for upper GI cancers in Australia today remain worse than outcomes for all cancers observed in 1975. ➡️ Historical underfunding of research and the inconsistent application of evidence-based treatments, contributing to the lack of standardised pathways for care and the continued poor quality of life and outcomes for people diagnosed with an upper GI cancer. The report also presents a comprehensive framework for action, offering both immediate and long-term strategies aimed at enhancing supportive care, ensuring access to specialist nursing, and identifying priority areas for research investment to bolster survival outcomes. Despite the significant challenges ahead, there is ample reason for optimism. We have tangible opportunities to improve quality of life and survival rates through targeted policy actions and increased investment in research. Pancare will maintain its collaborative efforts with governments, the broader healthcare sector, researchers, and individuals affected by upper GI cancer to implement the recommendations from the report. This will help drive the reform agenda necessary to realise the vision presented in the report. To access the report visit: https://lnkd.in/gmUdumYX To attend the Unite for Hope event register here: https://lnkd.in/gftuau7v