Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2001-10-23
Can the minister tell the parliament what measures the Martin Labor government has agreed to put in place to help Territory women diagnosed with breast cancer?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. The question is particularly relevant, given that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yesterday, I attended the official launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I presented a cheque for $10 000 to the Cancer Council to honour a commitment made by the former minister, the member for Drysdale.
Last year in the Northern Territory, sadly, 15 women died from breast cancer. This year, about 50 Territory women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is extremely upsetting for Territory women that breast cancer patients have to leave the Territory for treatment because we do not have radiotherapy services in Darwin. In fact, many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer who could have had breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy, instead choose to have a full mastectomy rather than leave their families and homes for seven weeks of treatment down south.
I am very pleased to report the Martin Labor government has promised a $14m cancer treatment unit, which includes radiotherapy services. This is good news for the Northern Territory and a further example of how the Northern Territory Labor government will improve the delivery of services to Territorians.
On a more positive note, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve survival rates, and access to radiotherapy plays a vital role in quality treatment.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. The question is particularly relevant, given that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yesterday, I attended the official launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I presented a cheque for $10 000 to the Cancer Council to honour a commitment made by the former minister, the member for Drysdale.
Last year in the Northern Territory, sadly, 15 women died from breast cancer. This year, about 50 Territory women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is extremely upsetting for Territory women that breast cancer patients have to leave the Territory for treatment because we do not have radiotherapy services in Darwin. In fact, many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer who could have had breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy, instead choose to have a full mastectomy rather than leave their families and homes for seven weeks of treatment down south.
I am very pleased to report the Martin Labor government has promised a $14m cancer treatment unit, which includes radiotherapy services. This is good news for the Northern Territory and a further example of how the Northern Territory Labor government will improve the delivery of services to Territorians.
On a more positive note, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve survival rates, and access to radiotherapy plays a vital role in quality treatment.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016