THE Leukaemia Foundation has revealed that blood cancer is one of Australia’s most urgent yet overlooked women’s health crises.
More Australian women are diagnosed with blood cancer each year than ovarian and cervical cancers combined, making it the second most common cancer among women overall and the leading cancer for those under 30.
Unlike many cancers, blood cancer cannot be screened for or prevented, and it can strike anyone at any age. In 2024, more than 8,300 Australian women were diagnosed, with that number projected to nearly double within a decade.
Tragically, deaths are also set to triple, with more than 6,500 women expected to lose their lives each year by 2035. The impact extends far beyond survival. Women often face long hospital stays, infertility from treatments, and financial strain, with patients paying double the out-of-pocket costs of other cancers. Emotional and mental health challenges are also widespread.
The Leukaemia Foundation is calling for greater awareness, investment in research, and stronger support systems. Australians can help by learning the signs, encouraging regular health check-ups, advocating for more research funding, and supporting families through donations or volunteering.
Blood Cancer Month (September) is the time to act.