Despite growing prevalence, funding for prevention, detection and diagnosis is ‘drastically behind’ other cancers.
Blood cancers will become the most common cancer within 10 years thanks to a lack of screening, early detection and prevention, experts have warned.
“Australia is currently facing a blood cancer storm with the disease on track to overtake all other cancers in this country,” Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti said.
“Unlike most other prevalent cancers like lung, breast, prostate, skin, and bowel, you cannot currently screen for, prevent or reduce your risk of being diagnosed with blood cancer. We simply don’t have the knowledge or tools to enable us to do so.”
Blood cancers are the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia, according to the Leukaemia Foundation’s state of the nation report.
Mr Tanti said there was a “significant underinvestment” in blood cancer prevention and early detection compared to other leading cancers in Australia.
“When compared to other leading cancers in Australia, the investment in blood cancer research focused on prevention and early detection is vastly different and contributes to why the incidence of blood cancer is significantly increasing and outpacing that of all other cancers.
“For comparison, the percentage share of research investment in prevention, early detection and diagnosis in cervical cancer is 90%, melanoma 55%, lung cancer 37%, prostate cancer 32%, bowel cancer 27% and breast cancer 22%. Drastically behind is blood cancer at only 12%.”
According to a research roadmap for blood cancer report released last year, blood cancers in Australia are expected to double by 2035 and are predicted to become the most prevalent cancer in Australia.
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It’s not known why the prevalence is rising, the report says. Funding research into discovering the reasons is one of its priorities for action.
Blood cancer made up 12% of all cancer cases diagnosed in Australia in 2023 and just under 11% of all cancer deaths in the same year.
“If the fatality rate stays the same and the prevalence doubles, blood cancers are on track to become one of the leading causes of all deaths in Australia,” the report said.
Recent increases in blood cancer funding have focused on existing therapies, while funding for fundamental research or prevention research has not increased, the report by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences said.
Mr Tanti said around one in 12 Australians would be diagnosed with blood cancer in their lifetime, and earlier diagnosis and treatment would make a significant impact on the rising incidence and mortality rates.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a national and strategic approach to tackling blood cancer by taking action, together with the Australian blood cancer community, now.
“Sadly, failure to invest in blood cancer research which focuses on screening and prevention, as well as greater support services for all patients, will result in an unnecessary loss of life in the future, and a heartbreaking toll on the increasing number of Australians impacted by the disease.”
