The Leukaemia Foundation has called on the community to join its campaign to help fight blood cancer, with deaths from the disease likely to double over the next decade.

“The incidence and mortality of blood cancer is on track to almost double by 2035,” says Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti says. 

Blood cancer will become one of Australia’s most significant public health issues and the most prevalent and deadly form of cancer in the country if research funding continues to fall below that of other cancers, according to the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Blood cancer has increased by 79 per cent in the past 20 years, but in that time only 12 per cent of blood cancer research funding has gone towards prevention and early detection of the disease,” Mr Tanti says.

“Unlike most other prevalent cancers like lung, breast, prostate, skin, and bowel, you cannot screen for blood cancer, nor can you prevent it or make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of being diagnosed - it's Australia's silent and hidden cancer crisis.”

He says while blood cancer research has helped improve treatment and care options, the issue of prevention and early detection remains unsolved, with only 12 per cent of research investment funding prevention, early detection and diagnosis.

“Compared to other leading cancers in Australia, the investment in blood cancer research focused on prevention and early detection is vastly different and contributes to why the incidence of blood cancer is significantly increasing and outpacing that of all other cancers,” Mr Tanti says.

In Australia the percentage of research investment funding prevention, early detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer is 90 per cent, melanoma is 55 per cent, lung cancer is 37 per cent, prostate cancer is 32 per cent, bowel cancer 27 per cent and breast cancer 22 per cent.

The Leukaemia Foundation is calling for more investment into blood cancer research that focuses on prevention and early detection, and an increase in support services for patients and their loved ones.

To help close the gap, the Leukaemia Foundation is calling on the community to sign up to shave, cut, or colour their hair and fundraise during World’s Greatest Shave. This year the Leukaemia Foundation is aiming to raise $12 million dollars through the World's Greatest Shave.

Register to participate worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.