Making headway in 25 years of Daffodil Day

Today on the 25th anniversary of Daffodil Day, we celebrate hope. Hope for better outcomes for cancer patients, hope for better understanding of all cancers and ultimately, hope for a cancer free future.

As the country is awash with yellow and the community once again digs deep to support us, I’d like to highlight some of the great Australian achievements made in cancer over the last 25 years. After all, it’s these achievements and these positive steps that give us hope, spurring us to continue towards our vision of cancer defeated.

Here are just a few reasons for hope: 

·       Now more than 60% of cancer patients will survive more than five years after diagnosis. To a cancer patient, it means more time with their family and loved ones, more time doing the things they love and perhaps more peace of mind. It means a lot.

·       Cancer Council’s ongoing research has contributed towards a 30 per cent improvement in the survival of many common cancers in the past two decades. 

·       Australia is a world leader in cancer survival, with survival rates approx 20% higher than the global average.

·       We’ve made great advances in breast cancer and leukaemia, with more people surviving. In the next 25 years we hope to do the same for the rarer but deadly cancers, like pancreatic and brain.

·       We now have vastly improved cancer screening programs for cancers like breast and bowel. These screening programs save lives.

·       Thanks to research, we have a greater understanding of what causes cancer. Tobacco, hormones, alcohol, papilloma virus, and obesity now join tobacco and asbestos as recognised causes of cancer. After all, prevention is better than the cure. Prevention is much better than hearing the words “you have cancer”.

·       Since Daffodil Day was launched Cancer Council’s prevention and advocacy programs have contributed towards a 60 per cent reduction in smoking rates in Australia.

·       In 25 years the Cancer Council Helpline has provided information and support to over 325,000 people.

·       In 25 years, with the help from Australians all throughout the country, Daffodil Day has raised over $100m with $40m going to cancer research. Now it’s pioneering research like Prof Roger Reddel’s on cancer cell ‘immortality’ that will one day reap amazing results.

We have more reasons to hope than ever before. So join in the celebrations of Daffodil Day in your city or town and, once again, thank you for your continued support.
 

As CEO of Cancer Council NSW since 1998, Dr Andrew Penman is determined to not only  improve the lives of cancer patients, but to work towards a goal that sees cancer defeated. When he’s not thinking or talking health, you’ll find him practicing Hindi and cooking feasts for family and friends.