CANCER TREATMENT

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Health. How is the state government increasing support for South Australians with cancer?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:42): I thank the member for her question. I thank her for her interest in health, and I recognise that she represents me many times at various events that I am invited to but cannot attend.

Tomorrow, members would be aware, perhaps, that the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave will have a small ceremony at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Right around our state many South Australians will be shaving, colouring and waxing their hair to raise funds for services to support patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: —as well as research into better treatments and cures. I, too, will be participating to a minor extent.

Mr Williams: What colour are you going?

The Hon. J.D. HILL: I thought grey was very fashionable but I am going to get rid of it. So, I, too, will be shaving. I am pleased to say that I have received—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.D. HILL: There is still time to contribute, gentlemen on the other side. So far, I have received $2,500 in sponsorship and I would like to thank everyone who has made a contribution including the Premier and others in this place who have given financial support—and anybody who would like to contribute, I would be happy to get even more.

On a serious note, cancer does remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our community, and it is the second highest cause of death after cardiovascular disease. One in three South Australians will be diagnosed with cancer at some time during their lives. During 2007, there were 8,989 new cases of cancer diagnosed in our state and 3,466 deaths from cancer.

In fact, as our population ages, and we all live longer, the chance of getting a cancer, of course, increases and, as we become better at stopping people dying from other things, the chances of developing cancer increases as well. It is clear that we have a major battle on our hands when it comes to cancer. However, the state government, and I am sure members on the other side, remain committed to tackling this issue on all fronts, including prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and, of course, research.

I am pleased that we have been able to commit $5.9 million to introduce a new electronic oncology prescribing system and the necessary staff to ensure the delivery of more chemotherapy in country parts of South Australia. This includes providing training for doctors and nurses in country areas to be able to safely provide chemotherapy, and to support patients following chemotherapy. I think it has been terrible that many people have had to come to Adelaide for relatively simple chemotherapy treatments which could easily be provided in their own communities. This change will help that occur.

This funding is already part supporting the appointment of cancer care coordinators and the services of visiting oncologists at Mount Gambier to provide care for cancer patients in the South-East. They are part of Mount Gambier's cancer multidisciplinary team—the first of its kind in South Australia—and I am sure the local member is aware of them. The team was recently recognised for its success at the Cancer Expo held at Royal Adelaide Hospital, and I congratulate the team on the award that they won.

The state government's investment will also provide services and staff to support 10 new chemotherapy units across South Australia being established through a $5.4 million commonwealth investment. These units will allow regional South Australians to receive treatment for more complex cancers closer to their home. The designated chemotherapy sites are within hospitals at Port Lincoln, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge, Gawler, Wallaroo, Naracoorte and Clare. As members would know, Port Pirie is already providing chemotherapy services.

The state government's $42 million redevelopment of the hospital at Berri will provide similar services there, and they will also be provided as part of Whyalla's regional cancer centre, so we will see a huge increase in services right across country South Australia. The Whyalla centre, which is in its final stages of planning for site works to commence later this year, is part of the commonwealth's total $69.3 million commitment in country cancer service, and I want to thank the commonwealth government for its contribution. It is part of the coordination of funding between the state and the commonwealth and is a really good example of that cooperation in practice.

This funding is also developing and improving the communication links between country health services and specialist cancer centres in Adelaide, allowing country-based doctors to consult with specialists by telecommunication links, and we will see more of that in the future as well. The radiation therapy unit at Lyell McEwin Hospital will also be expanded to broaden services available in the northern suburbs of Adelaide and the surrounding country area. In February, I unveiled the Statewide Cancer Control Plan for the next five years (2011-15). This plan lays out a comprehensive and long-term strategy to guide the resources of our health system and to continue to lead improvements in cancer control by reducing the incidence of cancer, improving the cancer journey and increasing survivorship.

Our first plan had some remarkable achievements, including the development of a statewide delivery model and significant improvements in cancer data and information systems, supported by a $4.4 million investment over two years from the state government and Cancer Council of our state. Under this plan, we have also established the South Australian Cancer Research Collaborative, an innovative partnership between our three major universities to build a united and competitive cancer research sector. This collaboration is supported by $20 million in funds from the state government and the Cancer Council of South Australia. This is a great initiative, and I really congratulate the Cancer Council on approaching us in relation to this.

Research into cancer will also be a major focus of the new South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, which is now under construction on North Terrace, and the new Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer incorporating a Livestrong cancer research centre, which will have a focus on cancer prevention. Earlier this year the Premier joined cancer survivor and Livestrong founder, Lance Armstrong, to launch the Youth Cancer Networks Program. This program will advance the way cancer treatment and support is delivered to adolescents and young people. The program's key strength is that it unites governments in partnership with Canteen, harnessing collective resources, knowledge and the will to fight cancer.

It is thanks to these initiatives that I have referred to that cancer survival is on the increase. However, the battle, as I said before, is far from over. Extended life expectancy, our ageing population and effective screening and early detection programs mean that the number of South Australians with newly diagnosed cancer is also increasing. Our new Statewide Cancer Control Plan sets the path for our continuing efforts to strive for improvement across the whole spectrum. I know that probably everybody in this house has somebody in their family, or someone they are close to, who has had cancer, who has cancer or who has succumbed to cancer. I know it touches every family in our state. It is really important, I think, that we give priority to expanding services and integrating the service delivery with research and teaching. That is what this strategy is all about. If any members, particularly those in rural South Australia, whom I have referred to, would like a more detailed briefing, I will be happy to provide it if they contact my office.