- Minister for Health
New resources have been developed to help young people fighting cancer get the support and care they need, so that they can continue with their studies and work while undergoing cancer treatment.
Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today visited ONTrac at Peter Mac, Victoria’s cancer service for adolescents and young adults, to launch the new resources.
Being OK … Being you is a new resource for young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and have cancer. Based on real-life experience, the resource will help young LGBTIQ+ cancer patients feel safe, seen, heard and know that they matter.
The Thinking Ahead: Your guide to school, study and work resource will help all young cancer survivors get back to study and make informed choices about future career planning. This resource has been so popular that an extra 500 copies have needed to be printed.
The three resources were made possible thanks to $115,000 from the Andrews Labor Government.
In 2017, some 34,557 Victorians were diagnosed with cancer and 10,955 died from the disease – with 95 new diagnoses each day.
Victoria has some of the best cancer survival rates in the world – and it’s testament to our proud track record of investing in world-class cancer prevention, treatment and research.
The five-year survival rate for Victorians diagnosed with cancer has increased from 46 per cent in 1982 to 68 per cent in 2016.
The Victorian Cancer Plan 2016-20 has set an ambitious target of saving 10,000 lives from cancer over 10 years.
The plan brings together a range of initiatives in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and research to give patients the very best chance of beating the disease.
As noted by Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos
“We know a cancer diagnosis can be extremely challenging and traumatic for young people. We are making sure they have the support they need, when they it.”
“These new resources will help young people living with cancer continue with their lives, putting their health and wellbeing front-and-centre during treatment and throughout recovery.”
“Cancer survival is at an all-time high, but too many people are still dying from the disease. That’s why we have an ambitious plan to save more lives and invest in more research to one day find a cure.”
