According to the latest data in the Cancer Institute NSW’s annual Cancer Incidence and Mortality report, incidence rates for lip cancer and melanoma in Hunter males – between 2002 and 2006 – were higher than the State average.

Despite this, cancer death rates continue to fall in NSW.

“Cancer death rates have fallen by 14 per cent in men and 8 per cent in women over the past decade,” minister assisting the health minister (cancer) Jodi McKay said.

“I welcome this good news, but there’s no room for complacency.”

The report reveals the number of people diagnosed with cancer has increased, and that the State’s most common cancers – lung, bowel and melanoma – could be avoided in future through better lifestyle choices.

“The message is clear,” Ms McKay said.

“You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by doing simple things such as not smoking, eating healthy food, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising, protecting yourself from the sun, and having regular cancer screening.”

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in NSW and accounted for 20 per cent of all cancers, while breast cancer mortality rates have fallen by 14 per cent in the past nine years.

Lung cancer remains the major cause of cancer death overall, while the incidence of bowel cancer was higher in Australia than anywhere else in the world.

Melanoma rates continue to increase significantly in both males and females.