Every year more than 500 people are diagnosed with cancer in the Ballarat region, many of whom receive treatment and support through the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.

The state government is developing an updated cancer plan to help prevent the disease, boost survival rates and improve treatment for patients.

Local residents are invited to contribute to the Victorian cancer plan 2020-2024 by attending a consultation session on Wednesday October 16 from 9am to 12 noon at the Mercure Ballarat, or by making a written submission.

Other consultation sessions will take part across the state.

"We all know families who have been touched by cancer so I encourage everybody to get involved," said Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos.

"Our efforts to prevent and detect cancer earlier and ensure Victorians have access to the very best treatments mean more people are surviving, but we know there's more work to be done."

More people are diagnosed with cancer in the Ballarat region than other parts of the country, with cancer incidence rates of 504.5 diagnoses per 100,000 population - slightly above the national average.

The updated plan will build on the existing state cancer plan which has contributed to increasing cancer survival rates, early detection of cancers and improved treatments.

The five-year survival rate for cancer has increased from 46 per cent to 68 per cent over the past 30 years.

The cancer plan's medium-term goal is to save 10,000 lives by 2025, and in the longer term the goals include: halving the proportion of Victorians diagnosed with preventable cancers, doubling the improvement in one and five-year survival rates, ensuring Victorians have the best experience of the cancer treatment and care system, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all Victorians.

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