GROWING IMPACT OF BLOOD CANCER ON WOMEN Increasing incidence rates, mortality and disease burden forecast over coming decade
With
Chris Tanti, CEO
Leukaemia Foundation
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | December 2025
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, blood cancer is one of the most urgent and under-recognised women’s health issues in Australia, with three times more Australian women diagnosed with blood cancer than ovarian and cervical cancer combined (Source: AIHW, Cancer Data in Australia, 2024).
Blood cancer has also emerged as the second most common cancer diagnosed in Australian women overall – behind only breast cancer – and the leading cancer amongst girls and women under the age of 30 (Source: AIHW, Cancer Data in Australia, 2024).
Women face longer, more intensive treatment regimens than many other cancers, often requiring lengthy hospital stays or relocation to a capital city to access specialist care. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also cause irreversible infertility.
The financial and emotional burden of blood cancer on women is equally severe:
- Women with blood cancer are more likely to be out of work than those with other leading cancers.
- 42% of patients are forced to take more than three months off work, 30% leave their jobs entirely, and half have not been able to return to work.
- Patients face average out-of-pocket costs of $5,000–$11,000, compared to $2,500 for other cancers
- 70% of people with blood cancer experience emotional challenges after diagnosis.
Women also make up 72% of Australia’s primary carers, yet with a debilitating diagnosis like blood cancer, their ability to care for others is significantly diminished, impacting families and communities nationwide.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Leukaemia Foundation CEO, Chris Tanti about the toll, blood cancer takes on women’s lives beyond the physical fight for survival, as well as the alarming forecasts on the expected increase over the next decade. Mr Tanti talks about the need to increased levels of medical research into blood cancer to balance against other leading cancers, to investigate prevention, early detection, and diagnosis.
About Leukaemia Foundation
For the past 50 years, the Leukaemia Foundation has been caring for and supporting Australians affected by blood cancer by providing accommodation while they are undergoing treatment, assistance with transport to appointments, education and information about their blood cancer, as well as other practical, financial, emotional and mental health support.
Source: Adapted from Leukaemia Foundation media release September 2025
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Health equity
For 30 years the Humpty Dumpty Foundation has worked to help bridge the gap that often exists between available resources and actual needs through the donation of paediatric medical equipment. Humpty, like many other charitable initiatives, began with a humble goal. Its Founder and Executive Chairman, Paul Francis OAM, together with Patron Ray Martin AM, set out to raise some money to paint the walls of the Children’s Ward at Royal North Shore Hospital.
To date more than 440 hospitals and health services have shared in over $85 million of essential and lifesaving medical equipment for sick and injured paediatric patients.
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Forum fosters dialogue in breast cancer
In October 2024, the Frazier Institute hosted an event dedicated to breast cancer advocacy and research, supported by TRI (Translational Research Institute), National Breast Cancer Foundation, PA Research Foundation, Health Translation Queensland, QUT and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine/Frazer Institute.
The key aim of the event co-organised by Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology & School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland was to foster dialogue between breast cancer lived experience advocates (consumers), researchers, and clinicians.
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Tasmanian researchers and clinicians working together
Tasmanian medical research charity funds projects that have a global impact and improve community health and well-being.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Stephanie Furler the Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation about the impact of this research locally and in global health.
