The main aim of the Cancer stream was to investigate whether study participants who were exposed to emissions from the Hazelwood fire, compared with otherwise similar people who were not exposed to emissions from the fire, had a higher incidence of malignant disease over a prolonged period of follow-up. This study focused on particular cancers that are associated with the type of exposures from the Hazelwood fire. Data Linkage with the Victorian Cancer Registry held by the Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Cancer Database held by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare provided this stream with data. Due to the length of time it can take for cancer to develop, linkage took place in year three and year nine of the study.

To accurately measure the impact of the Hazelwood mine fire on the incidence of cancer in the community, it was important to understand what the pattern of cancer had been in the years prior to the mine fire. A report describing the findings can be found here and a summary can be found here.

Win News Gippsland story in 2017 regarding the baseline incidence of cancer in the region

Study Findings                                                  

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