Over the past forty years, Australia has seen major improvements in survival rates for those diagnosed with cancer, yet Australians in disadvantaged areas still face a 35% higher death rate following a cancer diagnosis than those in more advantaged areas.
A new study from the Daffodil Centre, a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute highlights data from 924,241 people diagnosed with invasive solid cancers in NSW.
Associate Professor Julia Steinberg, Senior researcher of the study and Stream Lead of Genomics and Precision Health at the Daffodil Centre says that the findings showed that cancer survival rates have improved significantly over time, "In the 1980s approximately 1 in 2 of those diagnosed with cancer survived to five years, whereas between 2010 to 2019 three out of four survived to five years."
Although the highlighted data is a trend in the upward direction, Brad Gellert, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW highlights the need to improve these rates in all areas, not just those with high socioeconomic status.
"Whilst overall cancer survival rates are improving, this research makes it clear that some groups are being left behind."
Disadvantaged Australian's face higher mortality rates
Those in disadvantaged groups are at a significantly higher risk of mortality rates compared with those from the most advantaged group. The gap often reflects factors such as limited access to healthcare, living conditions, and socioeconomic standings.
Associate Professor Steinberg explains that there are social and economic inequalities in health outcomes, "in 2010 - 2019, people diagnosed with cancer who were living in the most disadvantaged areas across the state had a 35% higher rate of dying from cancer compared to those in the least disadvantaged areas."
Mr Gellert says that those in more disadvantaged areas have higher exposure to cancer risk factors such as smoking, obesity and physical inactivity, "those in disadvantaged areas also face greater obstacles accessing care due to costs of treatment and travel, limited access to healthcare providers in rural locations, and cultural and language barriers."
Mending the inequality gap
As survival rates increase for advantaged groups, those in disadvantaged groups are being further separated from adequate care and resources.
"Governments must continue to invest in initiatives that lift screening rates, reduce cancer risk, and remove barriers to accessing care for these communities." Mr Gellert concludes.
If you need to talk about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20.
