A Field Of Pink at the MCG Supporting Australians with Breast Cancer
The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, will join with breast cancer survivors, their carers and supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to recognise Australians affected by breast cancer.
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The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Deputy Prime Minister
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
7 May 2010The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, will tonight join with breast cancer survivors, their carers and supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to recognise Australians affected by breast cancer.
The two Ministers will participate in the Field of Women LIVE 2010, an event held by Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), in which more than 14,000 people in pink and blue ponchos gather to represent symbolically the number of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths of women in Australia and the Australian Government is concerned that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer every year is growing.
The Government has committed $1.1 million to BCNA for two resource kits for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This is in addition to $2.7 million for the BCNA and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre to improve help for women diagnosed with breast cancer in rural areas, where access to support services can be difficult.
In addition, the Rudd Government has invested $31 million for external breast prostheses and $12 million has been provided to the McGrath Foundation for 44 breast care nurses to support women in rural and regional areas undergoing treatment. New state-of-the- art digital imaging equipment is currently being rolled out at BreastScreen Australia services as part of a $120 million national upgrade funded by the Commonwealth.
The Government is proud to be building a world-class cancer care system throughout Australia and has to date committed $2.3 billion for new cancer infrastructure, medicines, screening and research:
This includes $526 million for two state of the art integrated cancer centres – Lifehouse at RPA and the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
- $70 million has contributed to the establishment of the Garvan/St Vincent’s Cancer Centre and $120 million is being provided for digital mammography equipment across Australia
- $560 million for up to 20 best practice regional cancer centres to improve access and support for cancer patients in rural and regional Australia
- $600 million for medicines, including $314.1 million for the bowel cancer drug Avastin
- $15 million for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.
Minister Roxon’s Press Office: 02 6277 7220
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