Prevention and management

On average, over 1800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are diagnosed with cancer each year [42101], however up to one third of cancer diagnoses in Australia are preventable through lifestyle changes [44125].

The early detection of cancer is often key to good health outcomes [44129]. There are different types of screening for different types of cancer, and there are national screening programs for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bowel cancer.

The treatment and management of cancers depends on the type of cancer, but can include a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy and hormone therapy [44296]. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and family connections play an important role in the cancer treatment process [39509].

The prevention and management of cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires initiatives that prioritise community engagement, culturally appropriate resources and communication, as well as culturally safe, accessible health services [39506][44419][48600].