Professor David Currow

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NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chair of Palliative and Supportive Services at Flinders University.

Cancer survival

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We have come a long way in NSW in improving cancer outcomes across the population. But what does it mean when we talk about cancer 'survival' ?

What are my chances of survival if I get cancer?

"The good news is in NSW, we have made significant inroads into providing better detection, treatment and care of cancer which has significantly improved the survival outcomes across the population.

"The current five year survival rate for cancer is more than 64 per cent. This is on par with the best health systems in the world and it is proof that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.

"Survival rates for specific cancers depend on which type of cancer you have, how far it has progressed before it is diagnosed and whether it metastasised (formed a secondary cancer in another part of the body).

"In our study, Survival from cancer 1980-2003, we found that 83 per cent of people with cancer that was localised to the organ of origin at diagnosis survived for more than five years. However, only 13 per cent survived for five years if a secondary cancer had formed. This is why early detection for cancer is vital.

"For a more in-depth look at particular cancer survival rates, take a look at our cancer fact sheets.

"However, it is important to remember that every case is different and that your doctors will be able to give you a more accurate prognosis.

"Rest assured that everyday we are learning more and more about cancer and how it behaves which is allowing us to devise more effective treatments, therapies and models of care for cancer patients.

"We hope this work will contribute to better survival outcomes for people in NSW."

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