Lung cancer kills more Australians than breast, prostate and brain cancers combined, yet funding for the disease remains dangerously low.
Advocates are demanding urgent action to find lung cancer earlier and save more lives.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Urgent call for action on Australia’s deadliest cancer
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
Antoniette Gomez, 57, was fit and healthy when a routine scan led to a devastating diagnosis.
“I was diagnosed with a stage 3 lung cancer,” she said.
The first question people asked her was whether she smoked.
“When I did say I was a past smoker and stopped 16 years ago, it was, ah, we found the reason. It does leave people feeling like we’re responsible,” Gomez said.
Antoniette Gomez, 57, was fit and healthy when a routine scan led to a devastating diagnosis. Credit: 7NEWS
While smoking remains the biggest risk factor, lung cancer doesn’t discriminate.
“About 25 per cent of all new lung cancer cases will be in people that have never smoked,” Lung Foundation Australia’s Mark Brooke said.
More than 15,000 Australians are diagnosed every year while 9000 die. It’s the country’s leading cause of cancer death and rising amongst young women.
Five-year survival at stage 1 is 68 per cent. Stage 4, just 3 per cent.
“Early detection is really key. It’s the time when we have the very best chance of being able to cure the cancer,” Professor Lucy Morgan, a respiratory physician, said.
The national screening program, which began last year, has already scanned more than 100,000 high-risk patients, detecting almost 250 early-stage cancers.
A new blueprint to be unveiled in Canberra on Thursday is demanding more, expanding screening to more people, tackling tobacco and vaping, and investing in research.
Max and his mum who has lung cancer. Credit: 7NEWS
The message to government is coming directly from families.
“I’d like to talk to you. This is my mum. She’s got lung cancer. The doctors said it was bad,” Max, 13, said.
They’re hoping action now buys more time.
Aussie recounts hours drifting at sea after Bali ferry fire
1 min read
Guy Sebastian’s relief after manager admits to ripping off pop star
2 min read
