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Nuclear survivors get free treatment (late!)
by Bruce you're a Goose !
Wednesday June 28, 2006 at 08:31 PM
Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson said the study had found that the rate of certain cancers among the test participants was higher than in the general population...BUT did not find any link between the increase in cancer rates and exposure to radiation," Mr Billson said.
Nuclear survivors get free treatment
June 28, 2006 - 2:09PM
All surviving Australians who took part in British nuclear tests in Australia between 1952 and 1963 will be eligible for free cancer treatment under a policy announced by the federal government.
The access to free health care for cancer sufferers follows the release of the results of a seven-year study into the link between the tests and the incidents of cancer in those who took part.
It also comes despite a finding of the study that there was no connection between exposure to radiation in the tests and the rate of cancer in those who took part.
Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson said the study had found that the rate of certain cancers among the test participants was higher than in the general population.
"(But) it did not find any link between the increase in cancer rates and exposure to radiation," Mr Billson said.
"Despite the lack of association between cancer rates and radiation exposure, the Government has decided that it would be appropriate to provide health cover for nuclear test participants who have any form of cancer."
Some 16,000 Australians participated in the tests conducted at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia and at the Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coast.
Of those, more than 11,000 participated in the health study which began in 1999. Since the study began half of the participants have died.
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