The future: achieving our goals

The achievements realised through the implementation of the previous NSW cancer plans are significant steps towards ensuring we improve cancer outcomes in NSW.

We recognise where we must focus our collaborative efforts to ensure as many cancers as possible are prevented, the disease is detected as early as possible and that patients get the best possible treatment throughout the continuum of their care. To achieve this, cancer control will be based on best evidence and performance, and will need to be continually benchmarked. This statewide cancer plan promotes coordinated efforts throughout all these areas over the next few years and identifies priorities where we can have the greatest impact in cancer control for all people living in NSW.

Woven throughout these priorities are shared commitments to use epidemiology and cancer surveillance practices to guide our planning, research, collaborative activities and use of resources. In addition, this plan specifically addresses disparities in outcomes to accelerate equitable cancer outcomes for all people in NSW.

Download and view the matrix of objectives, strategies and key activities of this cancer plan
(PDF, 164 Kb)

The following comprehensive matrix outlines the objectives, strategies and key activities over the next five years necessary to achieve improved cancer outcomes. Ongoing monitoring and review will help to ensure we are achieving these outcomes and allow objectives to be modified if research and evaluation identifies effective ways to improve prevention, reduce the impact of cancer and reduce inequitable cancer outcomes.

Goals of the cancer plan

The goals of the Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003 are the centrepiece of this statewide cancer plan. Each goal has objectives and strategies to attain these objectives. Lead1 organisations and key collaborators2 have been identified for each strategy and clear measures are articulated to identify progress over the coming years.

  • GOAL 1 To reduce the incidence of cancer
  • GOAL 2 Improving the survival of people with cancer
  • GOAL 3 Improving the quality of life of people with cancer and their carers

Cross cutting issues

There are cross cutting issues that encompass the continuum of cancer care and do not naturally fall under a particular goal but rather are threaded throughout the objectives and priorities of this plan. These include the need for evaluation to ensure that priorities and strategies in this plan are measured and can show improvement over time; the need for research to ensure best evidence practice is developed and implemented; the need to ensure we reduce the gap in cancer outcomes for priority groups; and the need for an enhanced role for primary/community care.

  • ISSUE 1 Monitoring and evaluating cancer control activities
  • ISSUE 2 Strategic research investment
  • ISSUE 3 Improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people
  • ISSUE 4 Improve cancer outcomes for rural and remote populations
  • ISSUE 5 Improve cancer outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse communities
  • ISSUE 6 Improve cancer outcomes for people who are socio-economically disadvantaged
  • ISSUE 7 Enhance the role of primary and community care in cancer control

A particular focus on actions required to address the needs of Aboriginal people is included throughout this plan. The high burden of disease and poorer health outcomes from cancer provide an imperative for all to commit to improve the responsiveness of the health system and ‘close the gaps’ for Aboriginal people with cancer, their carers and their communities. To be effective, these efforts must include consideration of the social determinants of Aboriginal health, be informed by the principles of self determination and a holistic approach3, and build partnerships with Aboriginal communities and their representative organisations.

This cancer plan reflects the need for a system-wide approach to cancer control and we anticipate the activities identified in the matrix will be tailored to the age and development of the person with cancer including children, adolescents and young adults.

This statewide NSW Cancer Plan 2011–15 focuses on the commitment of all cancer control stakeholders in NSW to lessen the impact of cancer and provides a platform for partnerships between government and non-government organisations and the community for cancer control.

  1. Lead : the entity responsible for managing and directing the activity(ies) and measuring the outcome(s) designated to them in the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-15. The Lead entity will collaborate and/or form partnerships with the nominated collaborators as appropriate. Designation as a Lead agency does not confer any particular financial assistance from the Cancer Institute.
  2. Collaborator(s): an entity(ies) that works/partners with the Lead entity to achieve the designated activities and measures designated to them in the NSW Cancer Plan 2011-15.
  3. ‘Aboriginal health’ means not just the physical well-being of an individual but refers to the social, emotional and cultural well-being of the whole Community in which each individual is able to achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total well-being of their Community. It is a whole of life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life. As defined in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy (NAHS) 1989.

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