State of the Nation: Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in Australia
Pancare Foundation is pleased to commission an independent, landmark State of the Nation report to uncover the true scale and impact of upper gastrointestinal cancers in Australia.
The report, called the State of the Nation: Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers in Australia, identifies the challenges and opportunities that influence diagnosis, support, quality of life and survival for people living with upper gastrointestinal cancers.
Why is the Station of the Nation report being developed?
Upper GI cancers – including pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers – have some of the lowest survival rates among all cancers.
Coming to terms with a diagnosis of an upper GI cancer and the subsequent cancer journey for patients and their families is incredibly challenging due to the nature of the disease. In addition to improving survival, patients and their families living with an upper GI cancer need support today to ensure they are able to understand their diagnosis, make informed choices in their treatment and receive early supportive and palliative care services to manage the physical, emotional, financial and social impacts of an upper GI cancer diagnosis.
The Australian Government has acknowledged and responded to this need in part through the formation of a National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap in 2020. While this is an important and welcome first step, there is no similar process for the other devastating cancers of the upper GI tract.
To identify additional opportunities for policy change and investment to improve outcomes across all upper GI cancers, Pancare Foundation has commissioned Insight Economics to produce the report, which will look at upper GI cancers collectively, rather than as individual diseases, to show the true scale and impact of upper GI cancers in Australia.
The report will provide an in-depth analysis on the challenges and opportunities that influence all aspects of the cancer care continuum that affect survival outcomes and quality of life. In addition, the report will involve a broad-scale audit of upper GI cancer research in Australia over the past 20 years and will ultimately guide evidence-based research and best practice care to improve outcomes for people affected by these cancers.
Pancare Foundation will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders within the upper gastrointestinal cancer community to inform the report including leading experts from the field of upper GI cancers; clinicians, researchers, Federal and State governments, health services, other upper GI cancer NGOs and industry. Importantly, extensive consumer consultation will take place, drawing on the lived experience of patients and carers across all types of upper gastrointestinal cancers.
The report will consider and complement other vital policy work underway, including the development of Australia’s first ever Australian Cancer Plan and National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap.
About Pancare Foundation
Pancare Foundation are a leading charity committed to inspiring hope, raising awareness, supporting families and funding research for upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers – pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers. Learn more about our important work.