Latest news with #CancerCouncil
The Age
3 days ago
- Health
- The Age
The sunburn generation: Why young people are risking cancer for tans
More than one in four young adults are getting sunburnt, and rising numbers are exposing themselves to high levels of cancer-causing UV radiation with little protection, as social media trends promote tan lines and sunbathing routines. Almost 26 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds reported being sunburnt in the previous four weeks, more than any older generation and significantly higher than the 14.8 per cent reporting sunburn overall, according to the Cancer Institute NSW's latest Sun Protection Behaviours Report. The survey of 11,297 adults in 2022 found that almost half of young adults reported frequent sun exposure (48.7 per cent versus 41.4 per cent in the overall population), and they were less likely to wear protective clothing, sun-safe hats and sunglasses. Meanwhile, roughly 70 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds are pro-tanning, said Matthew Warner-Smith, acting director of screening and prevention at the Cancer Institute NSW. 'An increasing number of young people have this misconception that fake tanning protects against sun exposure and sun burn; therefore, they don't need sunscreen … more than one-third in 2024/2025, up from 23 per cent the previous year,' Warner-Smith said. Loading Nationally, Cancer Council research found that nine in 10 Australians aged 18 to 30 intentionally or unintentionally sunbathe. Young women aged 15 to 24 (26 per cent) were more likely to try to get a suntan than young men (15.3 per cent), an analysis of ABS data showed. 'We can't underestimate the influence of social media,' Warner-Smith said. About 40 per cent of young people said people they follow on social media really influence them to get a sun tan, significantly higher than other age groups.
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Sunscreen brands could face reformulation after safety review
Some of our most popular sunscreen brands could be forced to reformulate, after a safety review from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The safeguards concern two active ingredients, homosalate and oxybenzone, as well as a by-product called benzophenone. The chemicals help block UV rays, but studies completed overseas suggest they could disrupt hormones when used in very high doses, over a long period of time. Professor Robyn Langham, the TGA's chief medical adviser says the risks are minor. 'The risks that have been identified in some of these studies have been demonstrated only in animals, and only with very high use of product over a prolonged period of time,' Langham said.. 'They can be described as only theoretical, in terms of their risks to humans.' Brands which have products with the active ingredient homosalate include Banana Boat, Nivea, Bondi Sands, Woolworths and Coles-branded sunscreens, and Cancer Council. The Cancer Council says sunscreens available in Australia are safe. 'Cancer Council welcomes developments in evidence, technologies and regulations that improve the regulation of sunscreens,' it said. 'The TGA has confirmed Australians do not need to change their use of sunscreens, and Cancer Council encourages all Australians to use sunscreen as one of the five forms of sun protection when the UV Index is three or above.' One of Brisbane's leading dermatologists, Dr Shobhan Manoharan, expects the TGA to lower the levels of the ingredients allowed in sunscreens. 'The US and Europe have dropped their concentrations on these and I suspect that's the trend we'll see in our local market as well,' Manoharan said. 'If the patient has allergies or sensitive skin or really doesn't want to expose themselves to any of these agents, there are some outstanding physical blockers with zinc or titanium in them, and they can use that as an alternative instead.'
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
Nearly 250,000 lives saved from cancer prevention campaigns in Australia, new research finds
Nearly 250,000 lives saved from cancer prevention campaigns in Australia, new research finds Published 9 July 2025, 5:48 am New research has found that cancer prevention campaigns in Australia have saved nearly a quarter of a million lives since the 1950's. The study led by Cancer Council Victoria and the University of Melbourne compared the number of cancer deaths with the predicted number of deaths, if no major cancer control measures had been introduced. The research has also confirmed some forms of cancer are on the rise.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Snowball effect': 230k Aussie lives saved
More than 230,000 deaths have been prevented by Australian cancer control measures during the past six decades, new research shows. A study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on Wednesday points to anti-smoking campaigns and breast cancer screenings in particular as saving thousands of lives. 'What we're seeing is a snowball effect – we're now seeing the result of investments made in cancer control over the many decades,' lead researcher Brigid Lynch said. Since the mid-60s, more than 230,000 lives have been saved by developments in cancer controls. Sixty-five per cent of the avoided deaths occurred in the final 10 years of the study period (2009 to 2018), showing progress in the fight against cancer has accelerated, the researchers say. The study finds the mortality rate for breast, cervical and stomach cancer has dropped considerably. However, the chance of dying from liver or brain cancer continues to rise. 'These are trends we've seen both in Australia as well as around the world,' Associate Professor Lynch said. 'While we know more women are diagnosed with breast cancer today because of increased screening, thanks to early detection and improved treatment options, that mortality rate is falling. 'Quit campaigns in the 1980s impacted smoking prevalence and led to a drop in lung cancer deaths.' The study involved Cancer Council Victoria, the University of Melbourne, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and Monash University. Cancer Council Australia scientific adviser Bernard Stewart, who was not involved in the study, said the lives saved over the past decades were a result of prevention, early diagnosis and better treatments. But the research showed nothing more precise for cancer generally, as various cancers 'must be considered separately to reveal specific achievements or lack thereof'. 'Frustratingly, specific progress for one type of cancer is rarely applicable to all tumour types, illustrating what an insidious disease cancer is,' Professor Stewart said. 'Concerning prevention, we know the cause of virtually all cervical and lung cancer cases, some bowel and breast cancer cases, while brain and prostate cancer can't be described this way. 'Early diagnosis comes from screening for cervical (to be displaced by vaccination), breast, bowel and lung cancer, but prostate cancer remains challenging and no screening yet for liver, stomach or ovarian cancer. 'Markedly improved survivability is evident for breast, bowel and other cancers but not for lung, pancreatic and brain cancer.' For this latest study, the researchers took World Health Organisation global health data, and analysed it against age-standardised cancer mortality rates from 1950 to 2018, finding more than 230,000 deaths have been avoided. Professor Lynch hopes the findings help health authorities prioritise cancer funding and campaigns. 'It's vital that society increases investment in cancer prevention and early detection efforts to help save lives,' she said. 'We are anticipating a significant increase of cancer incidence over the coming years due to our ageing and growing population. 'Prevention is the only way we can reduce the health, social and economic burden of cancer and protect our healthcare system.'
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Control measures have prevented 230,000 Australian cancer deaths, study finds
More than 230,000 lives have been saved in Australia due to cancer control measures over the past six decades, new research shows. A study led by the Cancer Council of Victoria found advances in cancer screening and strategies to reduce smoking, in particular, had prevented thousands of deaths. "What we're seeing is a snowball effect — we're now seeing the result of investments made in cancer control over the many decades," lead researcher Associate Professor Brigid Lynch said. Although there has been a significant decline in deaths related to certain types of cancers, not all were following the trend. With cancer rates expected to increase about 50 per cent by 2044, researchers said the study highlighted the need for measures to help keep the disease under control. Cancer remains Australia's leading cause of death, accounting for about 17 per cent of the national disease burden. There were an estimated 169,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in 2024, according to the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare. The rates were rising due to factors such as an ageing and growing population. Although cases were increasing, the individual risk of dying from cancer has dropped sharply. Since the 1980s, the risk has fallen by 11 per cent for women and 20 per cent for men, the study found. The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, analysed cancer-related death rates from 1950 to 2018. It found that more than 230,000 deaths have been avoided to date, with more than 65 per cent in the final 10 years of the study period (2009 to 2018). Associate Professor Lynch said there was a substantial decrease in the mortality from lung cancer. The rates have been dropping since the 1980s, which she said reflected the success of anti-smoking campaigns. Researchers expect lung cancer mortality to decrease further in coming years with the introduction of a national screening program for people at high risk. Mortality rates for breast and cervical cancer had also dropped "markedly", Associate Professor Lynch said. "We know more women are diagnosed with breast cancer today because of increased screening, thanks to early detection and improved treatment options, that mortality rate is falling," she said. A decline in cervical cancer deaths since the 1960s has been largely attributed to screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The greatest number of deaths averted was for stomach cancer. In the 1920s, stomach cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, and peaked in the mid 1950s. But its mortality rate fell over the course of the 20th century, in part due to increased safe food storage and people eating less salt-preserved food. Overall, the report found a combination of factors was helping to curb deaths, including advances in prevention, screening, and treatments. But societal changes, such as reduced salted food intake, exposure to smoke from indoor fires, and improved access to clean water also played a role. Professor Finlay Macrae, a gastroenterologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, said measuring deaths avoided was difficult, so seeing the results was "encouraging". "And underpins the need for public health advocacy to mitigate risk factors and engage in population-based screening and vaccination," he said. The researchers said significant advances in understanding cancers had underpinned evidence-based preventive strategies. But lifestyle factors were still playing a role in some types of cancers that continued to kill a large number of Australians. Liver cancer deaths have more than tripled since the 1980s, mainly due to obesity, alcohol use, and metabolic disease. "We did not observe any downturn in liver cancer mortality through to 2018," researchers said. Although liver cancer remained "highly fatal", advances in treatments had increased the five-year survival rate, they added. About 24 per cent of Australians diagnosed with liver cancer had a five-year chance of survival. Mortality rates for brain cancer were also continuing to rise. While other some cancer sites, such as nervous system cancers, leukaemia and pancreatic cancer, had remained relatively stable. Associate Professor Lynch said Cancer Council Victoria was leading the world's largest study of risk factors into glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. "If we can better identify this cancer's risk factors, we can work to reduce mortality and incidence through prevention measures," she said. With Australia's ageing and growing population, a significant increase of cancer diagnoses is expected over the coming years. Associate Professor Lynch said it was crucial to learn from the success of control measures and prevention campaigns. "It's vital that society increases investment in cancer prevention and early detection efforts to help save lives," she said. Professor Adrian Esterman, the chair of bio-statistics at the University of South Australia, said the study highlighted the need for continued investment in cancer prevention, early detection and new treatments. He noted several major recent advancements in Australia, such as a new national cancer screening programs and enhanced reading of mammograms using AI. "These will ensure the downward trend in cancer deaths continues," he said. The study involved the Cancer Council Victoria, The University of Melbourne and Monash University, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. It did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies.
