Two Indigenous organisations are among five recipients sharing more than half a million dollars in federal grants supporting people affected by cancer.

The Supporting People with Cancer grants fund community organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to support First Nations people, multicultural groups and rural and regional populations affected by cancer.

The population groups have been identified in the 10-year Australian Cancer Plan, developed by Cancer Australia.

The grants will aim to reduce the impact of cancer, improve outcomes and better support people with cancer.

The funded projects supporting First Nations Australians affected by cancer include:

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre: "Increasing cancer screening and treatment rates in the Tasmanian Aboriginal community." This project aims to identify barriers to cancer screening within the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, develop solutions to improve screening rates, and implement activities to foster early cancer identification and timely treatment.

Danila Dilba Butji Binnilutlum Health Service Limited: "Streamlining cultural safe cancer care for Danila Dilba." This project focuses on defining local clinical care pathways within the Darwin region and provides clinicians and community members the resources to support culturally appropriate care.

The remaining three grants support community organisations in providing a diverse range of support services and resources to address unmet needs of priority populations impacted by cancer: EACH, Head and Neck Cancer Australia, and So Brave.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, commended the dedication of these organisations "in championing the cause of supporting individuals and communities affected by cancer".

"We know community-based organisations, such as this year's recipients, make a positive impact in creating more fair and equal communities so that all people with cancer can access the support they need," she said.

Cancer Australia acting CEO Claire Howlett congratulated the recipients of the 2024 Supporting People with Cancer grants, "whose projects are dedicated to assisting people across Australia affected by cancer".

"Community grants play a vital role in implementing the vision outlined in the Australian Cancer Plan, striving for improved equity in cancer outcomes and experiences for all individuals, irrespective of who they are or where they live," she said.