Cancer is a diverse set of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal body cells. It involves a mutation, believed to have originated from damaged genetic material in a single cell. As of late June 2017, cancer places the largest growing burden on patients, families and the health system in Australia (Department of Health [DH], 2017). This year, it is estimated 134,174 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed, and over 400,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers will be diagnosed in Australia (Cancer Australia [CA], 2017). In order to improve Australia’s health, governments and health authorities prioritise particular health issues, based on how much they contribute to the burden of illness in the community and their potential for reducing this burden. Therefore, due to the high prevalence of cancer, placing an extreme burden of illness on the community, and the potential for new technologies to reduce this burden, cancer should be a priority health issue for Australia.
In determining the burden cancer has on the community and its potential to be reduced, health authorities must consider several factors. These include social justice principles, priority population groups, prevalence of the condition, potential for prevention and early intervention and costs to the individual and community. The three social justice principles of equity, diversity and supportive environments suggest recognition of the higher incidence rate of cancer for Indigenous Australians is vital in order to address inequities in health. Currently, the age-standardised incidence rate and mortality rate for all cancers combined is higher for Indigenous Australians than non-Indigenous Australians (CA, 2017). The higher mortality rate may be influenced by the fact that Indigenous Australians generally have poorer access to health-care services and are more likely to have cancers that are left undetected for longer than non-Indigenous Australians. This data suggests that in order to improve the health of a nation and reduce inequities, the principles of social justice must be applied. The high rates of inequality support the argument that cancer should be a priority health issue in Australia.
The epidemiological data used to determine priority population groups reveals people from a lower socioeconomic background are subject to a higher incidence of disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking and lower use of preventative health services such as cancer screening (Ruskin, et al. 2013). According to the Department of Health, almost one-third of all cancers may be avoidable, with more than a quarter attributable to the lifestyle factors of smoking, alcohol abuse and obesity. By determining priority population groups who may have an increased risk of developing cancer, strategies to improve Australia’s health can be established. Such potential strategies could include conducting cancer screening in areas recognised as being of low socioeconomic status, and therefore encouraging people to be more proactive about their health. Such strategies can be implemented to reduce the impact of low socioeconomic status on one’s health should cancer become a priority health issue in Australia.
The prevalence of a condition, or the number of cases of disease in a population at a specific time, is vital when attempting to improve the health status of a nation. By prioritising the allocation of resources, the health problems that cause the greatest burden of disease can be prevented and managed. In this instance, the increasing prevalence of cancer in Australia, contributing to 16% of the burden of disease, suggests cancer should be a priority health issue, in order to improve the health of the nation. Authorities have the potential to reduce this significant burden by prioritising cancer as a health issue in Australia.
Cancer is potentially one of the most preventable and treatable of all diseases (DH, 2017). As the risk factors for cancer are predominantly lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, insufficient physical activity and exposure to the sun’s rays, the risk of many cancers can be modified by individual lifestyle changes. With almost one-third of all cancers being potentially avoidable, there is a high probability for success by prevention and early intervention. Such strategies for prevention and early intervention include protecting the skin from sun damage and potential melanoma by using sunscreen, and having regular cancer screenings such as mammograms for breast cancer. Screenings can detect cancerous cells immediately, and early detection is primal for early intervention, and therefore an increased chance of survival.
Cancerous disease places a significant financial and non-financial burden on the individual and the community in a number of ways. Financially, for an individual living with cancer, costs include treatment such as hospital charges, medical practitioner fees, drug therapies, rehabilitation and a potential loss of income if an individual is too sick to work. Non-financial costs include a reduction in their quality of life, pain, being unable to participate in activities previously important to them, and significant emotional impacts such as to their mental health. Cancer impacts on family and friends, through emotional trauma when a person is sick or dies prematurely, or if another individual takes on the role of a carer. The community is impacted financially by a greater need for funding of the health care system and increased health spending such as on medications, as health services are used more frequently over an extended period of time. People with chronic diseases are also more likely to develop co-morbidities, illnesses stemming from their original condition, such as leukaemia leading to osteoporosis. This high cost is extremely useful when prioritising health issues as it suggests the need for adequate prioritisation of cancer as a health issue in Australia.
Cancer is the only major cause of death in Australia that is increasing in incidence for both males and females. The reasons for the increases in incidence are the ageing of the population, better detection of cancer, new diagnostic technology and screening programs and better reporting of cancer. It is believed cancer can occur more frequently in males than in females, however according to recent studies, 1 in 2 Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85 (Cancer Council Australia [CCA], 2017).
Mortality, or death rate, is one of the most significant factors in prioritising health issues in Australia. According to the Cancer Council Australia, 17,500 more people die each year than 30 years ago, mainly accountable for by the growing and ageing population. Although the mortality rate has fallen by more than 24%, only 68% of people diagnosed with cancer in Australia are still alive five years after diagnosis (CCA, 2017).
Therefore, it is evident through statistical data gained from epidemiology, that cancer should be a priority health issue for Australia. As cancer currently places the largest burden of illness in Australia, and is continually growing, it can be concluded that cancer requires priority action in an effort to improve the health status of all Australians and reduce its burden, both physically and financially.