The Australian Government is investing an additional $6.7 million to support and improve outcomes for all Australians affected by cancer.
In 2020, an estimated 150,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia, with around 50,000 Australians tragically passing away.
As part of this investment;
- $4.7 million to support strengthening supportive and primary cancer care and genomic cancer clinical trials in Australia; national leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer control, and the development of an Optimal Care Pathway for Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs).
- $2 million to investigate children’s brain cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and lymphoma, and other important areas of cancer research through Cancer Australia’s Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS)
The funding will be delivered in partnership with Cancer Australia, who today is convening a Ministerial Roundtable at Parliament House as part of the first step in the development of a visionary ten-year Australian Cancer Plan.
The Australian Cancer Plan will set out the key national priorities and action areas over the next 10 years to improve outcomes for Australian’s affected by cancer. It will also cover prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, while providing for the unique needs of specific cancer types and populations.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said, investing in cancer research and support and the establishment of an Australian Cancer Plan demonstrated the Government’s commitment improving cancer outcomes.
“While Australia is a world leader in cancer control and we have made great strides in improving cancer mortality and survival rates, cancer still has significant impacts on individuals, families, communities and the health system,” said Minister Hunt.
“We must continue to take action to address the multifaceted challenge of tackling cancer and in particular the disparities in outcomes among cancer types and many population groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
CEO of Cancer Australia, Professor Dorothy Keefe thanked the Minister for the opportunity to develop an innovative Australian Cancer Plan in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, and to establish a framework for shared responsibility for implementation.
“The heart of modern medicine should be patient centred care that focuses on equity of outcome”, said Professor Keefe.
“The Plan will build on current achievements, investments, capabilities and current evidence, but with a focus on the future of patient centred and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focussed cancer care. It will harness emerging evidence, technologies and innovations to improve outcomes and benefit all Australians affected by cancer.”
Cancer Australia will develop the Australian Cancer Plan in consultation with key stakeholders within two years.