Miles Government Unveils Queensland Cancer Plan

•  The Miles Government has launched the Queensland Cancer Plan, a 10-year strategy to boost cancer services across Queensland.
• A record-breaking, more than $1.73 billion will be invested into cancer care services across Queensland in 2023/24, plus more than $1.1 billion already committed for the new Queensland Cancer Centre.
• 33,000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with cancer every year, with rates of cancer higher than other states.

The Miles Government is boosting cancer care services across Queensland through its new Queensland Cancer Plan, with more than $1.73 billion to be invested into cancer care in 2024/25.  

The Queensland Cancer Plan sets out a roadmap to revolutionise services and care by improving access to world-leading treatments, strengthening cancer services particularly in regional communities, and improving access to care for children and First Nations peoples.  

A key priority of the new 10-year strategy is about ensuring patients have access to more personalised and coordinated care throughout every stage of cancer treatment, including detection, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and, where necessary, end-of-life support.

It also includes the expansion of new innovative therapies such as Car T Cell for hard-to-treat cancers and for patients without other treatment options.

The Miles Government heard from over 1,000 Queenslanders, including frontline health workers, patients, and caregivers, along with other key stakeholders during the development of the strategy.

New images of the more than $1.1 billion Queensland Cancer Centre have also been released today. The purpose-built 150-bed facility will deliver a range of new and innovative cancer treatments, including cellular therapy and world-leading nuclear theranostics.

The Centre, which will open in 2028, will also offer proton beam therapy, which uses radiation to target cancers more precisely near vital and vulnerable organs. This form of therapy is especially beneficial for children undergoing cancer treatment.

The flyover video can be downloaded here.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

 “My government is doing what matters for Queenslanders and that means delivering world class health care – no matter where they live in this state.

“Cancer unfortunately impacts so many lives across Queensland – more than any other state in the country.

“That’s why this new 10-year plan, which has been informed by our health experts, is so important.

“It will be supported by record-breaking investment into cancer care to boost services, and the soon-to-be-built Queensland Cancer Centre.

“My government will ensure Queenslanders impacted by the scourge of cancer will have access to world-class treatment now and into the future.”

 Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

 “We know that cancer touches the lives of almost every Queenslander – it not only impacts the individual, but also their families and loves ones. 

“This record-breaking investment and strategy will enable key initiatives to be delivered including lifesaving therapies, and bringing more services closer to home.

“I’ve met with patients who have received life-saving treatments like our Car T Cell therapy that is now available in Brisbane and Townsville, and I’m excited to see that this will soon be expanded to other hospitals.  

“With more than 33,000 Queenslanders diagnosed with cancer each year, our top priority is for every Queenslander to be able to access the best possible care, no matter where they live.

“We’re also focused on improving access to care and treatment for those Queenslanders living in rural and remote parts of the state.

“I know from meeting many survivors of cancer, especially breast cancer survivors, that being supported once you go into remission is also really important, and so a key focus for our strategy is also around survivorship support.

“I’m also really excited to see plans progressing for the new Cancer Centre, which will ensure Queensland will be a world-leader in providing cutting-edge, innovative and lifesaving cancer care through the free public health system.

“I want to thank the more than 1,000 Queenslanders who shared their experiences and insights – we have listened, and we are acting.”

Further information:

• Queensland cancer incidence rates were 10% higher than Australian rates in 2018 (standardised rate per 100,000 persons 542.0 and 493.9, respectively).
• High cancer rates in Queensland are largely driven by the prevalence of melanomas and other skin cancers mostly driven by melanoma of the skin.

ENDS