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The implementation of a national Lung Cancer Screening Program (LCSP), commencing in July 2025, presents a significant opportunity to have an impact on an intractable health problem for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander age‐standardised incidence rate was 85.2 cases per 100 000 for 2009–2013 and the mortality rate was 56.8 deaths per 100 000, which are double the rates found in non‐Indigenous populations. Lung cancer mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are increasing, in contrast to falling rates in non‐Indigenous Australians. These diverging trends are expected to increase disparities for many years to come and clearly demonstrate the health system is failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The disproportionate lung cancer burden means that an LCSP could deliver greater benefits to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reduce the disparity with non‐Indigenous Australians.

This MJA perspective shares more. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the perspective
2. List main findings
3. Identify culturally appropriate lung cancer screening pathway to reduce the inequity gap.

Details

Author: Alison Brown, Gail Garvey, Nicole M Rankin, Claire Nightingale and Lisa J Whop

Article Type: Perspective