A new, first of its kind, Optimal Care Pathway released today identifies approaches to quality care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer to improve their cancer treatment experience and outcomes.
Cancer is the third leading cause of fatal burden of disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are, on average, 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.
Healthcare that is patient-focused and that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients, is critical to good health care outcomes.
The Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer provides health services and health professionals across all sectors in Australia with principles and guidance to ensure that care is responsive to the needs of Indigenous people.
Cancer Australia is calling on health professionals and health services involved in the delivery of cancer care at every level to read, use, adopt and embed the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer into their practice.
The Optimal Care Pathway is accompanied by consumer resources, which outline what patients should expect on the cancer pathway, and the care they should be offered, from tests and diagnosis, through to treatment and care after treatment, management of cancer that has spread, and end-of-life care.
Cancer Australia has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Victoria, in collaboration with Cancer Council Victoria, to develop this first population-based Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.
Cancer Australia gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Cancer Australia’s Leadership Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control, who provided high level expert advice and guidance throughout the development of the Optimal Care Pathway.
For more information
- Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon Ken Wyatt media release
- The Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer
- Quick reference guide for Health Professionals
- Checking for cancer: what to expect - Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who might have cancer
- Cancer: what to expect - Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have cancer