Western Australians living with cancer to receive patient centred care linked to research.
Fast facts:
- Cancer is a major cause of death by disease in adults and children in Australia
- More than 145,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2020
- In 2020 nearly 50,000 Australians died from cancer
- Deaths from cancer are significantly higher in rural and remote areas and in vulnerable populations
Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Professor Peter Leedman AO has welcomed the inclusion in today’s Federal budget of $375m for a Western Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (WA CCC).
“This centre will transform the way cancer treatment is delivered in this state. It will provide world’s best cancer treatment, research and clinical trials in an integrated way which will truly benefit people with cancer and their families,” he said.
Cancer researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute will be an integral part of the CCC – providing the centre access to the latest research and treatments.
Professor Leedman said Comprehensive Cancer Centres are already operating in NSW and Victoria but particularly suit a state the size of WA.
“In Western Australia we have a significant need for a CCC as numerous patients live in rural and remote communities. The WA CCC will aim to improve access and equity for those patients living outside of the larger centres and improve their outcome.
“Each patient’s case from diagnosis through treatment will be coordinated, and regularly assessed by a multi-disciplinary team.
“Support services will also be integrated providing pain management, psychological support, exercise, physiotherapy and other holistic care that helps a patient manage treatment better and even stay with it for longer.
“For cancer patients the WA CCC will be a truly ‘one-stop-shop’ for all their diagnostics, treatment including surgery, intensive care, specialist appointments, imaging and scanning, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, complementary therapy, palliative care and rehabilitation.
The Perkins plans to develop the WA CCC. The State government has committed $2.5m for the development of a business case.
