How to reduce cancer death rates
Cancer was the leading cause of death in New Zealand in 2010, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths.
That’s an increase of nearly 13% between 2000 and 2010.
New Zealand Cancer Control Trust and Massey University are hosting a symposium this week to look at current and future
priorities for cancer control.
Canadian scientist, clinician and president of the International Cancer Control Congress Association, Dr Simon Sutcliffe
will give the key note speech.
He warns that New Zealand faces a cancer crisis unless it takes a more strategic approach to cancer control and
prioritises where to spend its limited resources.
“…the better we get at treating communicable disease and the longer people live, the greater the chances of them
developing a non-communicable disease like cancer at some point. That is the challenge for New Zealand today - to do
more and better with the same proportional resources.”
A panel of MPs will discuss the challenges facing a more coordinated approach to cancer control and where best to put
our resources.
MPs include Jo Goodhew (National), Annette King (Labour), Kevin Hague (Greens), Peter Dunne (United Future), Barbara
Stewart (NZ First), Chris McKenzie (for Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori party), and Hone Harawira (Mana).
Linda Clark, lawyer and broadcaster will chair the MPs panel.
Date: Tuesday 26 June 2014
Time: 8am - 3.30pm
Venue: Dominion Museum Building, Massey University, Wellington
ENDS