A modern, fit for purpose cancer control infrastructure, advanced by the innovative application of technology, research and data to improve Australia’s cancer outcomes.
Priority areas for action in the Australian Cancer Plan (the Plan) to ensure strong and dynamic foundations in cancer control include:
A modern, fit for purpose cancer control infrastructure, advanced by the innovative application of technology, research and data to improve Australia’s cancer outcomes.
In achieving this ambition, Australia will ensure that provision of equitable cancer care across the continuum is supported by the best available health intelligence from research, clinical trials, and meaningful, connected data.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty and equitable access to clinical trials and cancer care will ensure improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other priority population groups across the cancer care continuum.
Nationally agreed frameworks for collection and reporting of comprehensive cancer data, and implementation of new technologies into routine cancer care, with a focus on research priorities that drive innovation and fast-track opening of cancer clinical trials in Australia.
In achieving this 2-year goal, the necessary agreements and frameworks will be in place to support national data accessibility, research in identified areas of need, and improved equitable cancer clinical trial access and care.
Nationally agreed frameworks for collection and reporting of comprehensive cancer data, and implementation of new technologies into routine cancer care, with a focus on research priorities that drive innovation and fast-track opening of cancer clinical trials in Australia.
In achieving this 2-year goal, the necessary agreements and frameworks will be in place to support national data accessibility, research in identified areas of need, and improved equitable cancer clinical trial access and care.
A national cancer data ecosystem supporting evidence-based, innovative models of care which incorporate national uptake of advanced technology and infrastructure, underpinned by world-class research and a clinical trials landscape in which all Australians have equal access.
In achieving this 5-year goal, cancer data systems which support innovative models of care and assist improved and equitable cancer outcomes are developed.
Targeted research in priority areas and improved identification of priority patient groups in data will inform cancer care and all Australians with cancer will have access to clinical trials.
Access to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be increased with equitable access to digitally enabled care improved for all Australians including those in regional, rural and remote areas.
Stakeholders emphasised the importance of improving data linkage across jurisdictions. It was noted that improving the availability of real-time data has the potential to inform system accountability, performance, quality, and improvement. A lack of inclusive data has been a significant barrier to understanding and improving levels of cancer care across Australia, such as aspects of cancer screening.
The critical role that cancer research plays in cancer control was highlighted. There are opportunities for the Plan to facilitate growth, investment, and commercialisation of cancer research in Australia, as well as facilitating greater access to cancer clinical trials.
Stakeholders raised the importance of a future-focused cancer control system in Australia, underpinned by investment in emerging and innovative research and technologies. The importance of technologies such as telehealth and other digital tools in reducing barriers to cancer screening, treatment, and ongoing cancer care, along with the need to improve cancer research funding and access to clinical trials for all priority population groups, was emphasised.
Stakeholders highlighted the need to implement consistent approaches to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in data and health systems, and nationally consistent legislation on health data privacy and health information law. The need to ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty by implementing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance of the collection and use of cancer data and research was emphasised.
Barriers to closing the gap in outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people include the lack of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and access to cancer clinical trials.
Stakeholders also noted the need to invest in cancer research seeking to understand health inequities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Stakeholders highlighted the need to implement consistent approaches to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in data and health systems, and nationally consistent legislation on health data privacy and health information law. The need to ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty by implementing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance of the collection and use of cancer data and research was emphasised.
Barriers to closing the gap in outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people include the lack of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and access to cancer clinical trials.
Stakeholders also noted the need to invest in cancer research seeking to understand health inequities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The limited availability of clinical trials in rural and remote areas was raised. New approaches to expand access to services and clinical trials for people living in rural and remote areas should be considered to increase cancer treatment and care opportunities for this population group.
Increased data collection regarding sexuality and gender inclusivity, including in health surveys, registries, and patient records would improve understanding of the cancer care needs and lifestyle behaviours of this priority population group. Collection of this data would improve the measurement of cancer risk factors, cancer incidence, and cancer experiences among LGBTIQA+ people.
Stakeholders also pointed to the need to invest in research to better understand cancer risks and experiences of LGBTIQA+ people.
People from diverse backgrounds can be underrepresented in clinical trials, which may lead to members of this priority population group not being able to access the latest cutting-edge treatment. The importance of increasing engagement and participation of people from diverse communities in research and clinical trials was identified.
Stakeholders also expressed the need to improve data collection and linkage to better identify people from diverse communities that are at greatest risk of poorer cancer outcomes.
Consistent and high-quality data collection approaches are required to identify people living with disability who are navigating the cancer care system.
Digital technologies such as telehealth and other digital interventions were identified as cost-effective ways to support consumers with limited ability to afford ongoing costs associated with their care.
Stakeholders emphasised the need to provide infrastructure and support so that people in lower socioeconomic groups have consistent access to digital technologies such as telehealth, virtual care, and digital therapeutics.
The lack of consumer voices both in research findings and research production was raised. Also highlighted was the rarity of cancer and diagnosed mental illness being reported in the same dataset e.g., cancer registries. In addition, when co-reported data are available, it can be hard to identify which diagnosis came first.
There exist gaps in knowledge about how cancer progresses in older Australians with comorbid conditions. It was emphasised that sustained research is needed to improve understanding of how to treat older people with cancer, together with greater investment in clinical trials that directly improves their cancer care.
Stakeholders are concerned by the fertility risks of cancer treatments for adolescents and young adults and highlighted a need for increased research to better understand the relationship between cancer treatments and infertility.
There is also demand for a national data registry of newly diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancers to facilitate monitoring of cancer information and trends to promote improved outcomes.
Resources allocated to childhood cancers need to be increased as part of sustainable funding arrangements, to allow for improvements in early access to new therapies for children. Increased investment into childhood cancer research across the continuum of care is needed, particularly into a new generation of molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapies. The exploration of genomic, functional, biological, and clinical data to drive improved understanding of the growth of childhood cancers was also highly supported.