House:LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY- STATEMENT Date:2.12 PM TUESDAY, 8 April 1997 << Previous Page Next Page >> PDF of this document. Member:Prince, Mr Kevin Subject:STATEMENT - MINISTER FOR HEALTH Page:1204 / 1 support for cancer related research and associated programs in this State. Our financial commitment has been substantial. In its first term of office, the Government provided $1.4m for investigation into asbestos related diseases. This is in addition to the $540 000 that had already been provided for such work. There is little doubt that Western Australia leads the country in its asbestos related diseases research. The vitamin A treatment program carried out by Professor Bill Musk and Dr Nick Deklerk at the Perth chest clinic has been funded over the past six years by WorkCover WA with $700 000. The funding provided to the program was anticipated to be sufficient to demonstrate a reduction in cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer if an appreciable reduction was in fact occurring. Professor Musk and Dr Deklerk recommended further funding in order to recommence the program because their evaluation of the first five years indicated reduced rates of mesothelioma in people taking retinol, a precursor of vitamin A. The Health Department of Western Australia has been concerned about certain aspects of the previous program following overseas research which indicated an association between lung cancer and the use of betacarotene, another precursor of vitamin A. As a result of this information, late last year the Health Department initiated a review of the vitamin A program by three eminent independent epidemiologists, Professors Bruce Armstrong, Mark Elwood and Alistair Woodward. Their considered recommendation was that it would not be appropriate to continue with betacarotene treatment for mesothelioma sufferers, but a program using retinol only should be conducted in the future. Therefore, the Government has agreed to continue funding a modified vitamin A program. However, the exact amount of funding will be determined once Professor Musk finalises details of the modified program. Professor Musk and Dr Deklerk have been asked to develop a protocol for the revised vitamin A program. The researchers and the department have agreed that the program provide retinol only and not other supplements or forms of vitamin A; retinol be provided to people who are currently on the program; and the Sir Charles Gairdner Research Foundation be asked to manage the funds. All participants in the previous program will be contacted and invited to join the new program. [Questions without notice taken.] << Previous Page Next Page >>
support for cancer related research and associated programs in this State. Our financial commitment has been substantial. In its first term of office, the Government provided $1.4m for investigation into asbestos related diseases. This is in addition to the $540 000 that had already been provided for such work. There is little doubt that Western Australia leads the country in its asbestos related diseases research. The vitamin A treatment program carried out by Professor Bill Musk and Dr Nick Deklerk at the Perth chest clinic has been funded over the past six years by WorkCover WA with $700 000. The funding provided to the program was anticipated to be sufficient to demonstrate a reduction in cases of mesothelioma and lung cancer if an appreciable reduction was in fact occurring. Professor Musk and Dr Deklerk recommended further funding in order to recommence the program because their evaluation of the first five years indicated reduced rates of mesothelioma in people taking retinol, a precursor of vitamin A. The Health Department of Western Australia has been concerned about certain aspects of the previous program following overseas research which indicated an association between lung cancer and the use of betacarotene, another precursor of vitamin A. As a result of this information, late last year the Health Department initiated a review of the vitamin A program by three eminent independent epidemiologists, Professors Bruce Armstrong, Mark Elwood and Alistair Woodward. Their considered recommendation was that it would not be appropriate to continue with betacarotene treatment for mesothelioma sufferers, but a program using retinol only should be conducted in the future. Therefore, the Government has agreed to continue funding a modified vitamin A program. However, the exact amount of funding will be determined once Professor Musk finalises details of the modified program. Professor Musk and Dr Deklerk have been asked to develop a protocol for the revised vitamin A program. The researchers and the department have agreed that the program provide retinol only and not other supplements or forms of vitamin A; retinol be provided to people who are currently on the program; and the Sir Charles Gairdner Research Foundation be asked to manage the funds. All participants in the previous program will be contacted and invited to join the new program. [Questions without notice taken.]