The first national Australian Cancer Plan is being developed by Cancer Australia to set a transformative agenda to accelerate world class cancer outcomes for all Australians.
Cancer Australia has today launched a public consultation, to provide an opportunity for all Australians to contribute to this critical blueprint.
Cancer touches every Australian in some way. It is estimated that more than 150,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year.
“Cancer outcomes in Australia are among the best in the world and survival rates are improving for most cancer types. However, this is not the story for every Australian, said Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO Cancer Australia.
“A person’s risk of cancer, their experiences during diagnosis and treatment, and their survival are influenced by their background and personal circumstances, where they live, and the type of cancer they have. Such differences and variation are unacceptable, and the Australian Cancer Plan aims to change this picture,” continued Professor Keefe.
“To achieve world-class cancer outcomes for all Australians, we need national action to address issues that contribute to differences in cancer incidence, and that lead to variation in cancer outcomes and experience. And we need a way of sharing, learning from and scaling-up activities that are making a difference,” said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
Minister Hunt continued, “There is already excellent work happening across the country to improve outcomes for Australians affected by cancer. The Australian Cancer Plan is our opportunity to build on this work and bring together the brightest and best ideas for the benefit of all Australians
The Australian Cancer Plan will set out the key priorities and areas to address over the next 10 years to improve outcomes for Australian’s affected by cancer.
The principles underpinning the future -focused plan include patient and consumer centred care, reduction of outcomes disparities, Closing the Gap, equity of health outcomes, and parity of all cancer types.
Cancer Australia will develop the Australian Cancer Plan within two years. Insights and input from people working in all areas of cancer control and those affected by cancer will be critical to this ground-breaking plan and there will be a range of opportunities to get involved.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in cancer to contribute to the Australian Cancer Plan public consultation. Join the conversation, challenge our thinking and help create a transformative Australian Cancer Plan for all Australians,” said Professor Keefe.
For more information on the Australian Cancer Plan, please visit https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/australian-cancer-plan