Cancer survival rates in Australia are among the highest in the world. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience disparities in cancer outcomes. The reasons for these disparities are vast and complex. The inclusion of Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer[1] in the design of the Australian Cancer Plan (ACP) provides the opportunity to embed this OCP as the national standard of care and aid in a strategic national approach to addressing systemic barriers that impede the improvement of cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The OCP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer complements the tumour- specific OCPs and 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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, collaboration and partnerships were central to the development of the OCP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer and supporting implementation guide[2]. Since development Cancer Australia has undertaken awareness-raising and implementation activities and identified policy leveraging opportunities to promote uptake with an emphasis on awareness and communication campaigns to influence both behavioral and system change.
The OCP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer provides the foundational constructs for the ACP to embed culturally safe and responsive practices in health systems and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Centralising the OCP principles within the ACP aids in addressing disparities and closing the gap, providing further impetus to build on strengths of the current system, and in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.