THE number of people suffering has gone up 17 per cent in six years - and it's not just the elderly.

The number of people with Parkinson’s disease is on the rise and the condition is now more common than bowel cancer and leukaemia.

According to a report released last month, there has been a 17 per cent increase in cases over the past six years.

About 30 Australians are diagnosed with the degenerative disease every day. It now affects about 80,000 Australians.

While experts believe the increase reflects an ageing population, it is not just the elderly being diagnosed.

The report, conducted by Deloitte Access Economics and commissioned by Parkinson’s Australia, found 20 per cent of Australians afflicted with Parkinson’s are of working age - between 15 and 65. About 10 per cent are under 40.

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