Bogda Koczwara, Director of Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship, shared on LinkedIn:
”The Rare Cancers Australia report is a sobering read.
– 1 in 4 respondents with a rare or less common cancer said they were initially diagnosed with another condition.
– 46% of people diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer after noticing symptoms felt that their symptoms were overlooked.
– 59% respondents impacted by a rare or less common cancer reported that their cancer experience made their household financial situation worse.
– there was significant variation in access across Australia (see the travel diagram figure as example).
The report provides important recommendations:
- deliver an ambitious National Cancer Data Framework.
- review subsidies for imaging.
- develop suspected cancer referral guidelines.
- accelerate implementation of genomics into cancer care.
- remove barriers to access to treatment.
- increase financial support to patients for accessing treatment away from home.
- ensure access to tailored information and supportive care.
Now let’s put these into action!
See full report.”
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