Vic; Cancer deaths decrease yearly, says council

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2000
Vic; Cancer deaths decrease yearly, says council

The Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria says deaths by cancer are declining by about half
a per cent a year as more and more people are cured of the feared disease.

The council says the declining death rate from the disease -- which was once considered
an automatic death sentence -- offers greater hope for future generations.

Council director Professor ROBERT BURTON says the trend shows that cancer treatments
and education programs are working well.

But Prof BURTON adds that cancer is still the biggest single cause of death in Victoria.

He says almost 20,000 Victorians developed cancer in 1997 and over 9,000 people died
from the disease.

Prof BURTON was speaking ahead of Daffodil Day, next Friday, August 18, when the council
hopes to raise $2 million for cancer research, education and prevention.

AAP RTV ra/et

KEYWORD: DAFFODIL (MELBOURNE)

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