state election 2018 giving south australians a cancer free ... advoca… · the university of south...

Election Priorities

Giving South Australians a cancer free future - What will you do?

State Election 2018

I have lung cancer. My family, friends and

I will be voting this election.My wife has

cancer and I vote.

My dad died from cancer and I vote.

1 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

One in two South Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 851—an average of 26 people each day.2 A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just impact the individual diagnosed; it affects their family, friends and their local community.Our goal at Cancer Council SA is to reduce the impact of a cancer diagnosis and work towards a cancer free future by championing cancer research, assisting South Australians to reduce their cancer risk and helping them through their cancer journey.

At Cancer Council SA, we provide information and support from a Cancer Council nurse to over 7,500 people each year. Over 31,000 nights of accommodation are provided at Cancer Council Greenhill Lodge and Cancer Council Flinders Lodge, as well as over 1,000 free counselling sessions. Our commitment to cancer research remains strong with our $10 million investment in cancer research.

We cannot do this alone. Government action is required to ensure we continue making progress in preventing and managing cancer in South Australia. Our election priorities build on the strong work of previous governments who have undertaken actions to boost cancer research in South Australia, protect South Australians from being exposed to things which we know cause cancer, like tobacco smoke and UV exposure and provide support for rural and remote South Australians who are forced to travel to Adelaide for cancer treatment.

Cancer continues to take too much from our community. By working together, we will continue to move closer to a world where cancer is no longer feared, but is seen as a preventable, treatable and manageable disease.

What will you do in the term of the next South Australian Parliament to bring us closer to a cancer free future?

Sincerely

Lincoln Size Chief Executive

Every day

26 South Australiansare diagnosed with cancer.

Election Priorities www.cancersa.org.au 2

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3 Fund the Beat Cancer Project Keep life-saving cancer research in SA

7 Close the loopholes in alfresco smoking legislation Protect SA alfresco diners and drinkers

9 Increase funding for targeted quit smoking social marketing campaigns Continue to drive down SA's smoking rate

11 Early detection saves lives Commit to a maximum follow-up time for South Australians who test positive to a bowel cancer screening test

13 Join the other states in the fight against skin cancer Commit to fund $400K SunSmart information campaigns

15 Implement the smoking ban in prisons by 2020 Action needed to achieve smoke free prisons

17 Adequately fund data collection in SA Using what we know to inform what we do

18 Abolish South Australia’s DIY asbestos laws Ban homeowner removal of asbestos

19 Regulate junk food TV advertising Set South Australian kids up for a healthy cancer free future

21 References

3 Fund Cancer Council's Beat Cancer Project Keep life-saving cancer research in SA

7 Close the loopholes in alfresco smoking legislation Protect SA alfresco diners and drinkers

9 Increase funding for targeted quit smoking social marketing campaigns Continue to drive down SA's smoking rate

11 Early detection saves lives Commit to a maximum follow-up time for South Australians who test positive to a bowel cancer screening test

13 Join the other states in the fight against skin cancer Commit to fund $400K SunSmart information campaigns

15 Implement the smoking ban in prisons by 2020 Action needed to achieve smoke free prisons

17 Adequately fund data collection in SA Using what we know to inform what we do

18 Abolish South Australia’s reckless DIY Ban homeowner removal of asbestos

19 Regulate junk food TV advertising Set South Australian kids up for a healthy cancer free future

21 References

3 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

The Beat Cancer Project remains the biggest single South Australian source of funding for cancer research and infrastructure in our state.The South Australian Government has committed to meet Cancer Council SA in funding $2 million for the first two years of the current Beat Cancer Project funding cycle, and $1 million for the final three years.

However, there has been no commitment to fully fund the final three years of the Beat Cancer Project at $2 million, leaving an uncertain future for cancer research in South Australia.

Over 3,500 South Australians die of cancer each year and over 50,000 are living with a recent cancer diagnosis.

The Beat Cancer Project has one vision—to bring us closer than ever to a future without cancer and we have every reason to believe it is possible.

Fully funding the current Beat Cancer Project cycle will bring us closer to this goal.

What is the Beat Cancer Project?Since 2011, Cancer Council SA has partnered with SA Health, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, the University of South Australia, and South Australia’s flagship research facility, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), to fund the Beat Cancer Project.

The project has funded over 200 research initiatives through project grants, fellowships, infrastructure, and travel grants and scholarships. The cancers being researched cover some of the most common cancers affecting South Australians including bowel, breast and melanoma. The project has been successful in retaining and attracting quality researchers to South Australia, boosting South Australia’s research credentials and driving more research dollars into our state—the Beat Cancer Project benefits all South Australians.

Cancer Council SA’s contribution of $10 million over five years was previously matched by the South Australian Government, creating a total pool of research funding of $20 million. By obtaining matching funding for their research projects, researchers have been able to access these funds and bring further research investment to South Australia.

In order to continue the life-saving research of the Beat Cancer Project and to continue driving increased research investment in South Australia, the next government must commit to fully funding the project until 2021.

State Election 2018

Keep life-saving cancer research in SA

• Cancer deaths have fallen by approximately 14 per cent3

• Survival rates for common cancers have increased by up to 30 per cent4

• An estimated 61,0005 lives have been saved by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The positive impact of cancer research in SA

LAST YEAR FOR EVERY $1 DONATED TO THE BEAT CANCER PROJECT

$4 OF CANCER RESEARCHWAS FUNDED

$4


Fund the Beat Cancer Project

Keep cancer research in SA. Commit to fully funding the Beat Cancer Project until 2021.

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5 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

Keep funding award-winning research in SA

Researcher Profile: Professor Tim Hughes (SAHMRI)

Research Chair of the Beat Cancer Project and former Board Member of Cancer Council SA, Professor Tim Hughes is currently helping the 2,500 Australians with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML).6

His pioneering research into molecular monitoring of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy, to develop 'customised' and individualised therapy according to the patient’s response, has significantly improved the efficiency of treatment for CML.

Global pharmaceutical company GSK recently awarded Professor Hughes with the 2017 Award for Research Excellence, saying his research is not only achieving positive outcomes for people with CML, but the research is being developed to translate to other types of cancer.

The breakthroughs in Professor Hughes’ research would not have been achieved without cross-institutional support and collaboration from the South Australian Government, Cancer Council SA, the private sector and multiple research institutes.

In order to continue the award-winning work of Professor Hughes, the government needs to commit to the full funding cycle of the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project.

State Election 2018

$24MINVESTED IN CANCER

RESEARCH IN SA

+200SA RESEARCH

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+10DIFFERENT RESEARCH

INSTITUTES

PARTNERING WITH


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The future of cancer research in SAResearcher Profile: Associate Professor Michael Sorich (Flinders University)

Associate Professor Michael Sorich is a clinical epidemiologist, biostatistician and pharmacist working collaboratively with a broader team investigating ways to better target immunotherapy for individual patients.

Born and raised in South Australia, he hopes that his research funded under the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project improves patient care outcomes through better decisions for individuals in South Australia and across the world.

A relatively new recipient of Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project funding, A/Professor Sorich believes that South Australia could be at the forefront of this global research and use the findings at a local level to improve patient treatment and care.

“Working in a small state means our researchers can be nimble to allow quicker application of research findings in our health system” he said.

“We are unique and can contribute to big-picture global research collaboration, despite our small size. We need to be more innovative and more agile to be able to compete with both bigger states and internationally, and the Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project allows for more innovation here in South Australia.”

By pooling funding and promoting a culture of cross-institutional support for researchers like A/Professor Sorich, it provides a platform for local South Australian researchers to undertake ground-breaking research, engage with international researchers and translate knowledge into better health outcomes for all South Australians.

"Working in a small state means our researchers can be nimble to allow quicker application of research findings in our health system."

Fund the Beat Cancer Project

7 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

Close the loopholes in alfresco smoking legislation The government needs to extend the alfresco smoking ban to cover serviced drinking areas and close the loopholes in South Australia’s smoke free dining laws which allow pubs and clubs to continue to provide food that is consumed in smoking areas.

Cancer Council SA welcomed the government’s announcement that smoking would be banned in alfresco dining areas to protect patrons and staff from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

When Health Minister Snelling announced the ban, he stated that “…it doesn’t matter whether that’s a three-course meal or eating a bag of chips—you won’t be able to smoke if there is eating in that particular area”.9

We now know that the ban excludes chips and other snacks and that some venues have exploited this by designating smoking areas and instructing patrons to collect their meals rather than providing table service to allow dining to still occur in smoking areas.

This continues to leave hospitality workers exposed to second-hand smoke, especially those forced to regularly retrieve glasses and plates from smoking areas. It also prevents non-smoking diners from enjoying alfresco dining without being exposed to dangerous second-hand smoke.

No amount of exposure to cigarette smoke is safe, with all evidence pointing to its role in causing disease, disability and premature death.

While patrons may be able to move away from smokers, no protection is available to hospitality workers who are exposed to more than 4,000 chemicals—an estimated 250 of which are carcinogenic—whenever they clear glasses and plates from smoking areas.10

Banning smoking in serviced drinking areas will be further protection for hospitality staff to reduce their exposure to second-hand smoke.

The next South Australian government must commit to fully banning smoking in alfresco dining areas and extend the ban to include drinking areas. This will ultimately protect drinkers and staff from second-hand smoke exposure and continue to denormalise smoking for young South Australians.

• People can still legally smoke where food is consumed in outdoor drinking areas

• 74.6 per cent of South Australians agree that smoking should be banned in beer gardens and outdoor seating areas in pubs7

• Smoking bans have been found to actually increase the number of people frequenting licensed premises in other states8.

Did you know?

Smoking ban praised by South Australian businessesCase Study: Nabil and Nada Rabah, Eat on Glen Osmond Road

Despite claims to the contrary, the ban on smoking in alfresco dining areas has been embraced by local business'.

Nabil and Nada Rabah are the owners of popular lunch café Eat on Glen Osmond Road, and say the ban on smoking in their outdoor eating areas has been a success.

“Our customers have welcomed the changes,” said Nada.

“It is wonderful to not have second-hand smoke in our outdoor eating areas, and there has been a great change in the atmosphere.”

“Even patrons who are smokers have generally been very accepting and respectful of the changes.”

However, Nada and Bill agree that the government needs to address the current loopholes in the legislation.

“I don’t understand how the smoking ban can apply to some outdoor eating areas and not others. It makes it harder for us to enforce the ban with our patrons if there isn’t consistency” Nada said.

Protect South Australian patrons and hospitality staff from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Close the loopholes in alfresco smoking legislation

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9 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

Increase funding for targeted quit smoking social marketing campaigns Smoking continues to be the largest preventable cause of death and disease in South Australia,11 with two out of three deaths of current smokers attributable to smoking.12 On average, current smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers.13

Tobacco-related illnesses kill around 20 South Australians every week, over 1,000 each year, outweighing the total deaths from alcohol and other drugs combined.14 Tobacco use is estimated to cost South Australia 57,275 hospital bed days annually with a cost to the health system in excess of $24 million.15

Anti-smoking mass media campaigns play an important role in encouraging smokers to quit, as well as ensuring recently quit smokers remain smoke free. Exposure to an average of at least 1,200 Target Audience Ratings Points (TARPs) per quarter are needed for adults to change their behaviour and quit smoking, and additional exposure in the range of 1,800-2,100 TARPs per quarter produces even greater impact with increased odds of quitting.16

“Quitline was really helpful when I was giving up smoking. Anastasia (a Quitline counsellor) would listen to me particularly when it got tough and gave me lots of support.

The TV ads really helped as well, reminding me why I needed to quit smoking.

It was good to know people cared.”

Chris, Quitline caller

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700 TARPSRemoval of TARPS

Reinstatement of TARPS

Smoking prevalence in South Australia

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


Mass media campaigns have the lowest cost per quitter and also encourage recent quitters to remain quit. Importantly, they discourage the uptake of smoking by young people, which assists with reducing the smoking rate and the burden on our health system.17 Mass media campaigns drive people to get the support and information they need from Quitline to help them successfully quit with the support of a trained counsellor.18

South Australia has had great success in reducing smoking rates in the community, with the smoking rate declining from 23.6 per cent in 2002 to 14.9 per cent in 2016.19 The South Australian Tobacco Control Strategy 2017–2020 has set the ambitious target of a daily smoking prevalence rate of 8 per cent by 2020. To achieve this goal, state-wide tobacco cessation mass media campaigns, set at appropriate levels, are required. However, the South Australian Government has not increased funding for these campaigns since 2014—when funding was re-established after it was initially removed and smoking rates consequently increased—despite the cost of mass media rising over the same period.

Tobacco cessation campaigns also need the support of innovative and targeted programs to reach those communities where smoking rates remain much higher than average.

Innovative campaigns, such as the highly successful ‘Quit With Haydo’ promotion on Triple M, are required to reach groups with high smoking rates. ‘Quit With Haydo’ led to an increase in the number of calls to Quitline from people wanting to quit smoking, in addition to the people who sought extra support to stay smoke free. Each person who registered with the campaign had the opportunity to ask for a call from a Quitline counsellor and many people who registered now have an ongoing relationship with a counsellor that will last well beyond the initial campaign.

Additional targeted programs run in conjunction with social marketing will give all South Australians the best chance at being smoke free and assist with further reducing the South Australian smoking rate.

Cancer Council SA is calling on the next South Australian government to confirm its commitment to retaining the current investment in social marketing and to invest an additional $300,000 in funding for targeted campaigns which extend beyond the television screen, to run alongside the successful social marketing, to help reach those groups with excessively high smoking rates.

Increase funding for targeted quit smoking social marketing campaigns

Ensure funding of quality quit smoking social marketing campaigns is increased and all South Australians get the support needed to quit smoking.

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“Being able to show how quitting CAN be done, and bust myths about Quitline was great. I believe the message of 'if I can do it, so can you' is the winner here.

..it’s been an absolute pleasure being able to help get the message across that, while it’s hard to quit smoking, it's not impossible”

Haydo, Austereo Triple M Quitline ambassador

11 Cancer Council SA

State Election 2018

Commit to an evidence-based maximum follow-up time for South Australians who test positive to a bowel cancer screening testApproximately 90 per cent20 of bowel cancer cases are able to be successfully treated if detected early, and that's the reason the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was developed and rolled out. For those who test positive to the free test, the next step is referral to a medical practitioner and a follow-up colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women, and is more common in those aged over 50 years. Colorectal cancer is also the second most common cause of cancer death and accounts for 9 per cent of all cancer deaths.21

The evidence shows the maximum wait for a colonoscopy following a positive Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) should not exceed 120 days. It should be performed as promptly as possible because of the risk of psychological harm related to fear of cancer, as well as concern that delay in investigation may lead to progression in pathological stage if cancer is present.

The next South Australian government must guarantee South Australians of the maximum turn-around time for investigating cases of bowel cancer following a positive screening test.

Don’t let time run out for early detection of bowel cancer. Early detection of cancer saves lives. The sooner a cancer is diagnosed, the sooner someone can access life-saving treatments while the cancer is in its early stages.

The Federal Government established the current National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) to ensure the early detection of bowel cancer.

To date, the program has been a success in increasing the number of South Australians aged 50–74 years conducting free Faecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT), which is the first step to detecting bowel cancer.

The ongoing expansion of the NBCSP—aiming to target 60 per cent of 50–74 year olds conducting biannual FOBT by 2020—will increase the need for adequate resourcing and monitoring of timely colonoscopy provision to ensure early detection of bowel cancer.

Clear clinical practice guidelines that outline acceptable turn-around times for colonoscopies, as well as establishing adequate governance and evaluation measures, are required to ensure South Australians with bowel cancer face an early diagnosis and favourable treatment outcomes.

These measures will minimise the number of diagnoses which are delayed or are missed due to the mismanagement of resources and personnel in hospitals and clinics across South Australia. For example, removing a precancerous polyp detected through screening costs around $1,350, while the lifetime cost of treatment for cancers that develop from polyps can cost more than $36,000 per case.22


• Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)

• There were 16,682 bowel cancer diagnoses in Australia in 2017, 12.4 per cent of all cancer diagnoses21

• It is the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia, affecting both men and women

• Bowel cancer is highly curable if treated early.

Did you know?

90%CAN BE

SUCCESSFULLY TREATED

IF CAUGHT EARLY

SURVIVAL RATE AFTER 5 YEARS

STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4

93% 82% 59% 8%

Bowel cancer survival

COLORECTAL CANCER IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON CANCER

DIAGNOSED IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND ACCOUNTS FOR 9% OF ALL CANCER DEATHS.

Early detetion saves lives

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Assist early detection to save lives.


State Election 2018

Join the other states in the fight against skin cancerBy funding a $400,000 per annum SunSmart social marketing campaign, the South Australian Government can change community attitudes towards sun protection and prevent skin cancer in South Australia.Skin cancer is the most preventable of all common cancers, with almost all cases caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Following the basic sun protection behaviours of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide reduces the risk of skin cancer.

In order to prevent skin cancer in our community, these behaviours must be adopted as an essential part of Australian life.

In recognition of this, other state governments across Australia are investing in skin protection campaigns to reinforce these behaviours, with Queensland being a frontrunner in developing a number of innovative campaigns targeting young people, including 'UV. It All Adds Up', 'No Tan is Worth Dying For', and 'The Dark Side of Tanning'.

The South Australian Government does not currently invest in skin cancer prevention campaigns and programs.Therefore, NGOs such as Cancer Council SA have attempted to fill this gap with community education programs.

Despite the success of our programs, evidence shows the most effective ways of raising awareness and effecting behavioural change is through the use of mass media campaigns.23

However, funding mass media campaigns is currently outside of the scope and resources of Cancer Council SA.

There is clear evidence that investment in social marketing to encourage SunSmart behaviour can significantly reduce the social and economic costs of skin cancer.24

Evidence suggests that as social marketing investment declines, so does people’s sun protection behaviour. This highlights the importance of mass media SunSmart campaigns.

Government funding for ongoing mass media campaigns is needed to get the message through about preventing avoidable skin cancer and related deaths in our community. For every dollar invested, $3.85 return on investment is achieved.25

AUSTRALIAN’S

OF THOSE WILL DIE

EACH YEAR

WILL BE DIAGNOSEDWITH SKIN CANCERBY THE AGE OF 70

EXPOSURE TO UV DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCEWILL INCREASE CHANCES OF SKIN CANCER DIAGNOSIS LATER IN LIFE

2 in 3>2000}

Help increase sun protection behaviours in South Australia

Unfortunately, comprehensive sun protection behaviours in the community are declining.

Current data shows that only 12 per cent of the South Australian population reported that they protect themselves from the sun ‘usually’ or ‘always’ wearing sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing, sunglasses and seeking shade.26

While 61 per cent of South Australians ‘usually’ or ‘always’ wear SPF30+ sunscreen, less than half wear a hat and only a third wear clothing that covers most of their arms and legs.26

Evidence shows that mass media campaigns on sun protection behaviours will increase the number of people engaging with the key sun protection behaviours.27

Why is SunSmart so important?

• Australia has one of the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world

• At least two in three Australians face a skin cancer diagnosis before the age of 70 28

• Skin cancer accounts for over 80 per cent of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia each year.29

Invest in skin cancer prevention campaigns and programs to help increase sun protection behaviours in South Australia.

Join the other states in the fight against skin cancer

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Melanoma in South Australia

DIAGNOSED PER YEAR

714Diagnosed: 41% women and 59% men Deaths: 35% women and 65% men

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State Election 2018

Action needed to achieve smoke free prisons by 2020Smoking rates in South Australian prisons are some of the highest across the country, with 83 per cent of prisoners identifying as smokers.31

This is one of the highest smoking rates across the state. However, research shows that 46 per cent of prisoners that smoke would like to quit.32

Smoking in prisons puts prisoners, visitors and the staff that work onsite in danger of exposure to second-hand smoke and makes it virtually impossible for existing smokers to quit.

Unfortunately, the challenge facing South Australian prisoners and correctional facilities is having the right tools, support and smoke free policies in place to eradicate smoking in prisons.

This includes targeted and culturally-appropriate smoking cessation counselling and education programs, as well as the availability of nicotine replacement products in correctional facilities to help prisoners deal with their tobacco addiction.

The South Australian Government has made strong commitments towards banning smoking in prisons by 2020 in the South Australia Tobacco Control Strategy 2017–2020.

However, outside of a pilot program delivered at the Adelaide Remand Centre in 2016, there has been little movement in working with other prisons to adopt smoke free policies and assist prisoners with quitting smoking.

As 2020 fast approaches, the next South Australian government needs to act now to deliver on achieving smoke free prisons across the state.

The next South Australian government must commit to rolling out smoke free policies and providing appropriate support for prisoners in order to deliver on the commitment of achieving smoke free prisons across South Australia by 2020.

Could smoke free facilities lead to prisoner unrest? When undertaken in an orderly and supported way, prison smoking bans do not cause prisoner unrest, with examples from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales validating this.

How will this commitment affect prisoners’ health? Evaluation of the Northern Territory prison smoking ban found a noticeable improvement in prisoner health and fitness, with some prisoners also taking on peer leadership roles to provide encouragement and help manage the transition to being smoke free. Staff also reported an increase in productivity through not prioritising smoking time.33

Why are smoking rates in prisons so high?

Prisoners comprise some of the most highly disadvantaged groups in South Australia with high numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and people from low socio-economic backgrounds.

These segment groups tend to have higher rates of smoking compared to other demographics in South Australia.

It makes headlines:

Implement the smoking ban in prisons by 2020

Make prisons smoke free by 2020.

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State Election 2018

Invest to ensure quality cancer data is collected and that researchers have better access to the collected data to facilitate research in South Australia.

Using what we know to inform what we do

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Cancer Council SA calls on the next South Australian government to:

• adequately fund the data collection and entry into the cancer registries in our public hospitals; and

• commit to consulting with South Australian experts to prepare and execute a data plan for South Australia.

The South Australian and Australian health infrastructure collects vital data from everyone accessing our health system. That data provides vital information for the planning, quality control, evaluation of our effectiveness and the demands for treatment and prevention, including cancer.

The SA Clinical Cancer Registry commenced operation at South Australian major public hospitals in 1987 to support the monitoring and evaluation of South Australian cancer services. At the time, it led the world.

Experts across the globe hail data reporting systems like the SA Clinical Cancer Registry as fundamental for the effective operation of high-class health service, particularly for cancer. For example, for South Australians who have been diagnosed with cancer, monitoring includes the quality and appropriateness of treatment by looking at patterns of care and survival, socio-demographic differences in outcome including by age, remoteness and socio-economic status, and time trends.

The Registry and other state-collected data continue to play an important role in identifying gaps in care, disparities in outcome (including between metropolitan-based and rural and remote people with cancer) and comparing our health system performance with interstate and international benchmarks to improve services.

Regrettably, investment in our cancer Registry has declined in South Australia and access to the vital data

they produce has become increasingly limited. Since 2013, the Clinical Cancer Registry has been funded by external sources including Cancer Council SA, SAHMRI and the University of South Australia, while the cancer data collection continues to be funded by the State Government through Local Health Networks. However, the State Government’s funding for the collection and entry of data into the Registry has slowly diminished as staff resources are diverted into other areas.

In order for our data assets to be used effectively for the delivery of the best possible cancer services in South Australia and for the Clinical Cancer Registry to continue being funded by non-government entities, the South Australia’s Registry and data collection must continue to be funded at an appropriate level. Access to data which will be useful for South Australian researchers investigating the impact of cancer must also be readily available.

The Clinical Cancer Registry will continue to play an important role in the efforts to create a cancer free future for all South Australians and ongoing support will be critical to these aims. However, ensuring the right data collection and access occurs to help deliver a cancer free future extends beyond our Registry and includes things like data linkage, hospital admission and out-patient data etc.

To maximise our research potential and provide high-quality cancer services for South Australians, a data plan is required which identifies the appropriate sources of data, ensures they are funded and utilised to full effect, reduces duplication and ensures that appropriate access is provided for research purposes.


Protect South Australians from the dangers of asbestos

Protect South Australians from the dangers of asbestos

South Australian homeowners should not be allowed to remove asbestos themselves. Save lives by changing the law to require all home asbestos removal to be done by a licensed professional.While the use of asbestos was totally banned in Australia in 200334, asbestos products can still be found in households across the state. South Australian legislation, regulations and codes of practice currently protect employees who remove and dispose of asbestos as part of their employment.

However, these requirements do not fully extend to homeowners who undertake DIY renovations or home maintenance, or where removal is permitted by contractors who do not require a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence (when removing 10m² or less of non-friable asbestos). These requirements also fail to protect those people in the vicinity of any renovations or maintenance, including children.

With DIY home renovation increasing in popularity, exacerbated by renovation shows across most television networks, there is significant evidence that we are yet to see a peak in cases of asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer. A third wave of victims is emerging as a result of exposure during DIY renovations in a new generation of Australians who lack the knowledge and understanding necessary to identify asbestos and the deadly risks it poses.35

If regulations are not changed, this new group of sufferers will continue to grow for many years to come and include not just home renovators, but anyone who is in close proximity when the renovations take place.

Regulations surrounding the safe removal and disposal of asbestos must be extended to cover all removal in private homes. This would ensure that all removal and disposal would be supervised by an individual who is licensed in the removal and disposal of asbestos.

• Australia was the fourth largest user of asbestos per capita in the world

• From 1945–1980, asbestos and asbestos products were included in approximately one third of all houses and in most public buildings

• Australia has the highest per capita rates of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos caused diseases in the world36

• Asbestos-related diseases aren’t limited to mesothelioma—asbestos exposure can also result in asbestosis and lung cancer.

Did you know?

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Regulate to restrict homeowners from DIY removal of asbestos.


State Election 2018


State Election 2018

Regulate junk food TV advertising and set South Australian kids up for a healthy cancer free futureFACT: 23.2 per cent of South Australian children are overweight or obese.37

Results from the 2014–15 National Health Survey indicate that over 73,000 South Australian children are either overweight or obese.

South Australian children are exposed to enormous amounts of advertising and promotion of unhealthy foods and beverages on television, the internet, children’s magazines, food packaging and placement in supermarkets, and through sponsorship of children’s sports.

Systematic reviews have found that children are not fully aware of the persuasive intent of food marketing and that food marketing influences the food preferences of children, generates positive beliefs about the foods advertised, influences purchase requests of children, and influences children’s food consumption.38

To date, voluntary codes of conduct around advertising and marketing have failed to reduce the amount of junk food advertising to children.39 Restricting unhealthy food marketing to children has been recognised as an important area for action in the prevention of obesity.40

The economics of obesityIn 2008, obesity-related cancers cost the health system approximately $190 million.41

This is not including the additional costs of cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases related to obesity.

Restricting unhealthy food marketing to children has been demonstrated as a cost-effective intervention to address the current market failure plaguing South Australia.

According to the Assessing Cost Effectiveness of Obesity Report, a modelling study commissioned by Victoria’s Department of Human Services, a restriction of unhealthy food advertising on television was potentially the most cost-effective and cost-saving intervention of 13 interventions assessed, for preventing and managing childhood obesity.42

Whilst this intervention is predicted to reduce a child's risk of obesity to only a small degree, the restriction of advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages to children would have considerable beneficial effects over the entire population. In addition to these direct measures, food marketing is likely to have broader indirect effects on children’s food preferences and food choices.43

93%

91%

of South Australians are in favour of the government introducing stronger restrictions to reduce the amount of unhealthy food advertising seen by children.

of South Australian consumers want government to regulate the use of unhealthy food products in games and competitions on websites aimed at children.44

Strong support for tougher laws on advertising


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Regulate junk food TV advertising

Set our kids up for a healthy and cancer free future.

1. Prohibit junk food advertising 7am – 9am and 4pm – 9pm weekdays, 7pm – 9pm on weekends.

2. Ensure compliance by establishing statutory mechanisms and sanctions.

3. Promote healthy food by establishing minimum advertising criteria.

• Obesity is considered to be a high risk factor for cancer. Cancer Council SA recommends people maintain a healthy body weight within a BMI range of 18.5–2545

• A quarter of all cancers could be prevented through appropriate food, nutrition and physical activity46

• Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life is one of the most important ways to protect against many types of cancer47

• Collectively, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating are second only to tobacco as preventable risk factors for cancer.48

The link between obesity and cancer


State Election 2018

References1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Australasian Association of Cancer Registries 2017. Cancer in Australia: in brief

2017. Cancer series no. 102. Cat. no. CAN 101. Canberra: AIHW.

2 South Australian Cancer Registry, Cancer in South Australia 2014 with projections to 2017. Adelaide: South Australia, Department of Health

3 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of death 2011. 3303.0. Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra, Australia 2012

4 AIHW, CA (Cancer Australia) & AACR (Australasian Association of Cancer Registries) 2008. Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: cancers diagnosed from 1982 to 2004. Cancer series no. 42. Cat. No. CAN 38. Canberra: AIHW.

5 New study: 61,000 cancer deaths avoided in 20 years, 9 May 2013, available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/News/MediaReleases/2013/0052013 per cent20New per cent20study per cent2061 per cent20000 per cent20cancer per cent20deaths per cent20avoided per cent20in per cent2020 per cent20years_final.pdf

6 Palin Communications (2017) Leukaemia pioneer “customising” cancer treatment receives major research award” GSK https://au.gsk.com/en-au/media/press-releases/2017/leukaemia-pioneer-customising-cancer-treatment-receives-major-research-award/

7 TCRE. Key smoking statistics for SA-2010. Tobacco Control Research and Evaluation, Cancer Council SA 2011

8 Queensland Health. Review of smokefree laws: discussion paper. Brisbane, Australia: Government of Queensland, 2007. Available from: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/tobaccolaws/ documents/33161.pdf

9 Hon Jack Snelling MP, Minister for Health, Cancer Council SA Boardroom, 20 May 2014

10 US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, A Report to the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

11 AIHW, cancer incidence projections.

12 Banks E, Joshy G, Weber MF, Liu B, Grenfell R, Egger S, Paige E, Lopez AD, Sitas F and Beral V. Tobacco smoking and all-cause mortality in a large Australian cohort study: findings from a mature epidemic with current low smoking prevalence. BMC Medicine 2017 Oct 29;13:38

13 Banks E, Joshy G, Weber MF, Liu B, Grenfell R, Egger S, Paige E, Lopez AD, Sitas F and Beral V. Tobacco smoking and all-cause mortality in a large Australian cohort study: findings from a mature epidemic with current low smoking prevalence. BMC Medicine 2017 Oct 29;13:38

14 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Smoking and quitting smoking among prisoners in Australia, October 2013, Canberra, ACT.

15 Binswanger IA et al. 2014. Prison tobacco control policies and deaths from smoking in United States prisons: population based retrospective analysis. British Medical Journal; 349:542.

16 Cancel Council Victoria. Tobacco control and mass media campaigns: evidence brief. Canberra: The Australian National Preventive Health Agency; 2013 Available from: http://anpha.gov.au/internet/anpha/publishing.nsf/Content/94287D19C5A643FFCA257B960003E8F6/$File/LASER%20PRINT_EV%20BRIEF_MASS%20MEDIA_v2_screen%20res.pd

17 US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

18 Durkin S, Brennan E, Wakefield M. Mass media campaigns to promote smoking cessation among adults: an integrative review. Tobacco Control 2012;21:127-138.

19 Key smoking statistics for SA- 2016, SAHMRI, available at https://www.sahmriresearch.org/user_assets/9a6c6665cb920a9113532c0ebab54e22e66a4f83/key_smoking_statistics_for_sa_2015_-_april_2016.pdf

20 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Australian Cancer Incidence and Mortality (ACIM) books: Colorectal cancer. Canberra: AIHW. www.aihw.gov.au/acim-books.

21 Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer Statistics, https://bowel-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/statistics viewed October 2017.

22 Cost- effectiveness of screening for bowel cancer, The Gut Foundation, June 2011 available at www.gutfoundation.com.au/_.../Cost-effectiveness_of_screening_for_bowel_cancer

23 Dobbinson SJ, Wakefield MA, Jamsen KM, Herd NL, Spittal MJ, Lipscomb JE, Hill DJ. Weekend sun protection and sunburn in Australia: Trends (1987-2002) and association with SunSmart television advertising. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2008; 34: 94-101


Notes

References24 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of death 2011. 3303.0. Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra, Australia 2012

25 Doran CM, Ling R, Byrnes J, et al. Benefit Cost Analysis of Three Skin Cancer Public Education Mass-Media Campaigns Implemented in New South Wales, Australia. van Steensel MAM, ed. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(1):e0147665. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147665.

26 Cancer risk factors in South Australia: Results of the 2016 Health Omnibus Survey, June 2017

27 Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of death 2011. 3303.0. Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra, Australia 2012

28 Staples MP, Elwood M, Burton RC, Williams JL, Marks R, Giles CC. Non-melanoma skin cancer in Australia: the national survey and trends since 1985. Medical Journal of Australia 2006; 184(1): 6–10.

29 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australasian Association of Cancer Registries. Cancer in Australia 2001. AIHW cat. No. CAN 23. Canberra. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004.

30 South Australian Cancer Registry (2013): Cancer in South Australia 2013 - with projections to 2016. Adelaide: South Australian Department of Health

31 Snelling J. Media conference, 21 May 2014.

32 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013. Smoking and quitting smoking among prisoners in Australia 2012. Bulletin no. 119. Cat. no. AUS 176 Canberra: AIHW.

33 Hefler M and Thomas D, Northern Territory Department of Correction Services Smoke Free Prisons Policy Preliminary Evaluation, Menzies School of health Research, September 2014

34 Olsen, N, Franklin, P, Reid, A, de Klerk, N, Threlfal, T, Shilkin, K, Musk, B, ‘Increasing incidence of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation’, Medical Journal of Australia, 2011

35 Olsen, N, Franklin, P, Reid, A, de Klerk, N, Threlfal, T, Shilkin, K, Musk, B, ‘Increasing incidence of malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos during home maintenance and renovation’, Medical Journal of Australia, 2011

36 Dodson R, Hammar S, editors. Asbestos: risk, assessment, epidemiology, and health effects, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis, 2011.

37 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2016). National Health Survey, 2014-2015 http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/4364.0.55.001~2014-15~Main%20Features~South%20Australia~10005

38 Hastings G, McDermott L, et al. The extent, nature and effects of food promotion to children: a review of the evidence. Geneva: World Health Organisation; 2006.

39 Wendy L. Watson, Vivien Lau, Lyndal Wellard, Clare Hughes, Kathryn Chapman; Advertising to children initiatives have not reduced unhealthy food advertising on Australian television. J Public Health (Oxf) 2017 1-6. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx004

40 World Health Organization. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003

41 Diabetes Australia (2008). The growing cost of obesity in 2008: three years on. Access Economics, Canberra.

42 Magnus A, Haby MM, et al. The cost-effectiveness of removing television advertising of high-fat and/or high-sugar food and beverages to Australian children. Int J Obes (Lond ) 2009

43 Livingstone S. New research on advertising foods to children: an updated review of the literature. Ofcom; 2006

44 Morley B, Martin J, Niven P (2010). Obesity prevention and policy proposals: Public acceptability in South Australia (Topline results). Melbourne, Australia: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria.

45 Cancer Council (2009) Position Statement: Overweight, obesity and cancer prevention

46 World Cancer Research Fund, American Institute for Cancer Research. Policy and action for cancer prevention. Food, nutrition, and physical activity: a global perspective. Washington DC: AICR; 2009 Available from: http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/cancer_resource_center/downloads/chapters/pr/Introductory%20pages.pdf

47 Must A & Strauss RS 1999. Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 23 Suppl 2:S2–11.

48 Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Preventative Health National Research Flagship, University of South Australia. 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey - main findings. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2008 Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/66596E8FC68FD1A3CA2574D50027DB86/$File/childrens-nutphys-survey.pdf

Cancer Council SA 202 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA 5063PO Box 929, Unley BC SA 5061t 08 8291 4111 f 08 8291 4180cancersa.org.au

Responsibility for the content of this submission is taken by the Chief Executive, Cancer Council SA, Lincoln Size.

Contact Alana Sparrow General Manager, Services, Research and Public Policy Cancer Council SA [email protected] 08 8291 4150.

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