The burden of cancer is higher in the Australian Indigenous population (AIHW 2014), with cervical cancer occurring more frequently than among non-Indigenous people (AIHW 2017).

Survival also significantly decreases as remoteness increases, unlike the survival rates of non- Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia have high rates of certain lifestyle risk factors including tobacco smoking, higher alcohol consumption, poor diet and low levels of physical activity (Cancer Australia 2013). The high prevalence of these risk factors is believed to be a significant contributing factor to the patterns of cancer incidence and mortality rates in this population group (Robotin et al. 2008).

In caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people diagnosed with cancer, the current gap in survivorship is a significant issue. The following approaches are recommended to improve survivorship outcomes (Cancer Australia 2013):

• Raise awareness of risk factors and deliver key cancer messages.
• Develop evidence-based information and resources for community and health professionals.
• Provide training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and develop training resources.
• Increase understanding of barriers to care and support.
• Encourage and fund research.
• Improve knowledge within the community to act on cancer risk and symptoms.
• Improve the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to provide cancer care and support to their communities.
• Improve system responsiveness to cultural needs.
• Improve our understanding of care gaps through data monitoring and targeted priority research.

For specific information about the distinct epidemiology of cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and guidance about providing culturally competent health care, please refer to the Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.