They said dealing with cancer was difficult for individuals and families who deserved local services and support.

Mr Lawrence said he was not prepared to state that a radiotherapy unit would come to Dubbo as soon as Labor was elected.

"Radiotherapy is a complicated big ticket item," he said.

"I will say that like everyone I would love to see a treatment unit here. It would be of tremendous benefit to Dubbo and the region not only for those seeking to treat cancer but also patients requiring radiotherapy for pain relief."

Mr Lawrence said he was not making election commitments about health in Dubbo "at this stage".

"The ALP will be announcing its policies in terms of health down the track," he said.

Mr Lawrence said all health issues were important and he did not want to unduly politicise public discussion about cancer.

"As much as possible the parties should be working together for sensible outcomes but at the same time I feel that in Dubbo we have been accepting second best in terms of health care allocations for too long.

"Statistics show that funding for Dubbo Hospital is far behind compared to other similar sized hospitals.

"Regardless of who wins the election and who the local member is, this community really needs to stand up in relation to the state of the health care budget."

Mr Lawrence said there were not enough palliative care services in Dubbo and the region and some people had to travel huge distances for particular cancer surgeries.

"I understand there is no resident palliative care specialist in Dubbo but there is one at Orange," he said.

"There is certainly enough need to justify a specialist here. There is also a case for more palliative care nurses as I am told understaffing is problematic.

"I sometimes wonder whether the death taboo stifles a lot of detailed public discussion around end-of-life issues. I would like to add my voice to a discussion on palliative care in Dubbo and the region. It would be fantastic if we had more palliative care nurses and a palliative care specialist."

Mr Parmeter said the Greens supported the funding of cancer services.

"There is a definite need for radiotherapy at Dubbo Hospital," he said.

"A cancer unit was put in at Orange and Dubbo has been campaigning for services not only for our city but for people living further west.

"It is difficult to go from Bourke to Orange to receive cancer treatment. Travelling from Bourke to Dubbo would be easier, especially for patients having a lot of treatment."