Partner in focus: Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM MD, CEO, Cancer Australia

What is the vision of Cancer Australia?

The vision of Cancer Australia is to reduce the impact of cancer and improve the wellbeing of people affected by cancer. Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

Cancer Australia works collaboratively and liaises with a wide range of groups, including those affected by cancer, key stakeholders and service providers with an interest in cancer control. The agency also focuses on populations who experience poorer health outcomes, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in rural and remote Australia.

What are some of the challenges you face?

There are critical issues in cancer control that need collaborative, coordinated and national action. Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia and affects the lives of many Australians.

It is estimated that 150,782 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Australia ranks well globally in terms of cancer survival rates and has seen increasing survival rates across most cancer types. Despite this, disparities remain in cancer outcomes across population groups. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous people experience both a 26% higher incidence and mortality rate compared to non-indigenous people.

People in low socio-economic areas have a 33% higher mortality rate, and the mortality rate for people in very remote areas is 15% higher compared to major cities.

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.

Can you explain one of your organisation's recent innovations?

In the past three years, Cancer Australia has completed an enquiry into lung cancer screening, developed the National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap, delivered extensive resources responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is co-creating a dedicated website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer.

We are currently developing the Australian Cancer Plan. This will be the first national 10-year plan, and we aim to set a transformative agenda to accelerate world class cancer outcomes for all Australians affected by cancer.

The Australian Cancer Plan will be an inclusive plan to address inequities and priorities across the whole cancer journey for key population groups now and in the future.

Underpinned by the best available evidence, expert knowledge and patient stories, the Australian Cancer Plan aims to make the vision of world-class cancer outcomes and experience a reality for all Australians.

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.

The development process for the ACP is encompassing comprehensive and inclusive engagement and consultation with stakeholders across the cancer control continuum to support co-design, and the establishment of national governance, ongoing implementation and accountability for outcomes to support the development of the ACP.

The Australian Cancer Plan will be designed for use by governments, policy makers, service planners, cancer organisations and research funders. It will work alongside existing state / territory cancer plans and other health and social care strategies, plans and frameworks. Its implementation will require collaborative effort across all stakeholders.

What is it about the partnership with Healthdirect Australia that is most valuable to you?

As a trusted source for information to millions of Australians, Healthdirect Australia provides access to our resources and evidenced-based information and amplifies our reach. Healthdirect Australia is a top referrer for traffic to the Cancer Australia website and shares a common goal with Cancer Australia; to address key health priorities and challenges and improve health outcomes for all Australians.