AUSTRALIA has higher cancer rates than many developed countries, but also has some of the world’s best survival rates.

A report released yesterday found Australian cancer rates were higher than in Canada and Britain and similar to those in the US.

Australian men have a one-in-three chance of developing cancer by age 75, while women have a one-in-four chance.

But the number of deaths in Australia, compared to the number of cases diagnosed, is lower than in the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.

“This suggests that although we have more cancers, the health system seems to be performing relatively well in early diagnosis and treatment,” said Ian McDermid, author of the report, Cancer in Australia 2001.

Mr McDermid said the ageing population was a major contributor to the rise in cancer rates. When age was factored in, cancer death rates were actually falling as anti-smoking programs, campaigns to encourage better diets and sun protection schemes took effect.

He said Australia’s middle-class lifestyle could also be contributing to the incidence of some cancers such as breast cancer, with alcohol a factor in 12per cent of cases, and colorectal cancer, which could be sparked by dietary factors.

Living in a remote area was also a factor in cancer detection. Lung cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of the uterus as a proportion of cancer deaths were higher in remote areas.

Mr McDermid said screening programs might also be driving up the levels of detection of some cancers, but earlier detection through these programs was increasing the chances of recovery.

Mother of two Sally Crossing, who was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 10 years ago, will today undergo a mastectomy, two months after breast cancer reappeared in her system.

Her reaction the first time was typical of cancer victims: disbelief, anger and guilt that she may have brought it on herself. Now she is grateful to Australia’s medical system, and that it granted her nine years of extra life, and with good management she will be around to see her grandsons grow.

“If I hadn’t had this advance diagnosis a couple of months ago, early in its progression, I could well be looking at a pretty dark picture,” 58-year-old Ms Crossing said.

“I am glad I am living in Australia, because I was monitored very closely. That means I can do something about it; I don’t just have to say I am going to die and lump it, so to speak.”

Despite high survival rates, sun exposure continued to give Australia and New Zealand the highest melanoma incidence and mortality rate in the world. There were 374,000 new skin cancer cases in 2002.