Sharing the challenge of cancer control for Indigenous Australians: a national agenda

As the national cancer control agency, Cancer Australia identified the need for an evidence-informed strategic and shared agenda to drive national and coordinated approaches to improving cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Cancer Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework (Cancer Australia 2015) (Framework) was developed in collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research and defines evidence-based priorities resulting from a review of the evidence, including population health data, as well as broad stakeholder consultation through face to face workshops, facilitated online discussion forums, an online survey and a national forum. The process ensured that the views of over 500 individuals or groups were heard and that the Framework embraced the needs and aspirations of Indigenous people themselves. Indigenous participants made up nearly 60% of those who attended the forums, and 35% of those who participated in the survey, with strong Indigenous leadership in both the project team and steering committee. This consultative approach resulted in an extraordinary level of engagement and participation from critical stakeholder groups across the country and highlights the importance of Indigenous cancer issues. References