Mesothelioma

Cancer Council of Victoria director Professor David Hill said yesterday it was unclear why an average 2-3 per cent difference between survival rates existed between metropolitan and rural Victorians.

Further research was needed to determine whether lack of diagnosis or inadequate rural cancer services were to blame, Prof Hill said.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said bans on smoking in all venues from July this year could save more lives.

Improved cancer services in Gippsland, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo had been funded since the data was collected, Ms Pike said.

Australian Medical Association Victoria president Mark Yates said many country people still had difficulty accessing cancer services.

"That differential is common across all disease groups.

The great fallacy is that country living is healthy," Mr Yates said.

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