LUNG, bowel, breast and prostate cancers accounted for more than 300 deaths in Wyndham from 2008-10, new Cancer Council figures show.
The Tarneit electorate recorded 85 deaths from lung cancer, 60 from bowel cancer and 20 prostate cancer-related deaths in the three-year period.
In Altona, 77 people died from lung cancer, while 39 and 20 people died from bowel and breast cancer respectively.
Tarneit breast cancer survivor Jillian Lawrow said she was not surprised by the prevalence of cancer in the community.
She said the figures highlighted the need for awareness campaigns and increased research.
“I just think the more awareness there is and the more we talk about any cancer in our community, it helps to raise awareness and reduce the fear.”
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said it was alarming that western suburbs residents were suffering higher incidences of cancer than elsewhere in Melbourne.
“The west continues to suffer from over-representation in cancer statistics,” she said.
“We need to increase investment in research and in health to encourage a change in lifestyles and to implement prevention strategies.”
Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper said eating healthy, drinking less alcohol, regular exercise and being SunSmart helped to reduce people’s cancer risk.
“Two out of three Victorians diagnosed with cancer now survive beyond five years but even more lives could be saved by making lifestyle choices which minimise our cancer risk,” he said.
