She was buoyed yesterday by research that shows a 30 per cent increase in the cancer survival rate.

The Federal Government's fourth report in 23 years on Australian survival rates says 64 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men treated for cancer were alive five years after their diagnoses.

Between 1982 and 1986, only 53 and 41 per cent respectively were alive five years after diagnosis.

The most recent research indicates particularly good results for patients aged between 50 and 70.

Ms Bates, of Palmerston, said cancer did not mean a short life. ''It doesn't control my life,'' she said.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2006 and had a mastectomy the next month, followed by six courses of chemotherapy.

Her treatment was completed in August 2006.

''I have been all-clear since,'' the 29-year-old said yesterday.

Ms Bates returned to full-time work in a government department.

''The women here have been watching my hair grow.''

After her treatment, she had been told she had an 80 per cent chance of being free of cancer in five years.

She now does the things she loves; being with her boyfriend, exercising and standing as a candidate for the Labor Party in the October ACT election.

Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer Ian Olver said the findings of the research had shown cancer detection and treatment were improving because of evidence-based approaches. That is, to have treatments properly tested and proven.

Professor Olver said the new data showed there had been limited progress in treating some complex and aggressive tumours, such as those of the lung, brain, pancreas and cancers of unknown primary source, underscoring the need for continued research. Australia had a fair record but needed more money into cancer research.

''We have the talent to produce more if we are able to select areas where we can be internationally competitive,'' Professor Olver said.

Melanoma research was an obvious area.

With 106,000 new cases of cancer in Australia each year, cancer councils contributed about $50million annually into cancer research.

One in two Australians aged 85 would get cancer.