The Victorian government has announced their support of a new initiative to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous people in the state, as well as helping to close the gap in cancer research and care.
On Thursday, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced $3.87 million towards Framework Respect - a culturally responsive and safe framework to boost participation in cancer clinical trials - led by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) in partnership with local ACCHOs.
VACCHO chief executive and cancer survivor, Jill Gallagher said VACCHO's journey strategy "provides the roadmap for improving cancer outcomes" for Indigenous Victorians.
"This commitment means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will have greater access to the latest approaches to detect and treat cancers, with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations providing that access," the Gunditjmara woman said.
This framework will form part of the Cancer Clinical Trials Program 2024-2028 and is on top of the $7.8 million plan by the government to "support the development and implementation" of VACCHO's Aboriginal Cancer Journey Strategy 2023-2028.
"Equity in healthcare must be a priority, and we can't ignore the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have worse outcomes when it comes to cancer – this funding will help address that gap," Minister Thomas said.
"These new guidelines will ensure that health services have a clear and consistent framework when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in clinical cancer trials in a meaningful and respectful way."
The funding for the clinical trials program will also support a new and culturally safe cancer screening pilot, set to begin in July next year.
@natindigtimes "Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands, will make a difference," said VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher AO at the announcement of a new partnership between the organisation and the Green Cross. The exciting collaboration will see a dedicated mobile van hit the road in a bid to support the health disparity Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. #aboriginalaustralia #aboriginalhealth #vaccho #closethegap #indigenousaustralia #greencrossproject @VACCHO ♬ Will to Live - Jacob Yoffee
VACCHO have long-advocated for culturally safe healthcare, having last month announced a partnership with the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to provide a special men's possum skin cloak - to sit alongside a women's one - helping to promote cultural connection and holistic healing for Indigenous cancer patients in Naarm.
The government has said the new funding is consistent with calls for the recognition and embedding of culturally sensitive and ethical practices outlined in marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri: The Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord.
Earlier this year, Ms Gallagher observed Indigenous communities were no more prone to get cancer than any other Australian citizen, but were not presenting and being screened at the same rate, due to a myriad of factors, including mistrust of the health system.
"Our people are dying with cancer, but non-Aboriginal communities are living longer with cancer," she said at the time.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians are three times more likely to die from cancer.
