Advocacy and policy
National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer
Our once-in-a-generation opportunity to reduce the impact of blood cancer
Blood cancer is set to become Australia’s most prevalent and deadly form of cancer.
You can’t prevent it, you can’t screen for it, and you can’t make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk – it’s Australia’s silent cancer crisis. To make matters worse, one in three blood cancer patients face a delay getting diagnosed.
It means treatment is starting too late for many, which is putting lives at risk, especially in our regional communities.
The National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer is a blueprint to coordinate and accelerate national efforts to improve survival and quality of life for people diagnosed with blood cancer, and to support their carers and families.
It identifies four major priorities:
The National Action Plan was commissioned by the Australian Government and launched by the Health Minister in Blood Cancer Awareness Month September 2020 . Thank you to the many organisations and individuals who have supported and provided input into its development.
This bold strategy seeks to bring about real change for people living with blood cancer – no matter who they are, and where they live.
As our State of the Nation: Blood Cancer in Australia report demonstrated, the economic and personal costs of not acting with urgency on blood cancer are too great to bear.
We have excellent health systems and services across Australia, which are achieving remarkable results in improving survival rates and treatment for people living with blood cancer. However, there are still barriers. Developed in partnership with the entire blood cancer community, this plan shows how Australia can save and improve lives by helping ensure every Australian with blood cancer has access to the best possible care and treatments.
Your stories
A number of people living with blood cancer have kindly shared their experiences of being diagnosed and living with blood cancer in Australia today. They illustrate the importance of the four priority areas in the National Action Plan, and why we need to take action today.
Accelerating research
Hunter’s story
Achieving best practice
Neda, Nikki and Shirley’s stories
Enabling access to novel and specialised therapies
Matthew’s story
Empowering patients and their families
Bronwyn’s story
Partners
As members of the blood cancer and broader cancer community, we recognise the value of this community-led National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer. Partners of the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer included:
The National Action Plan includes recommendations across the entire blood cancer ecosystem: from research, clinical trials, precision medicines, treatment access and reimbursement, through to achieving best practice in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.
It builds upon the great work already undertaken and redoubles focus on addressing the survival gaps which still exist for Australians dealing with a blood cancer.
It looks at access challenges for Australians living with blood cancer, including those living in regional or remote areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and people with diverse and varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
The recommendations seek to improve how a person is supported from the point of diagnosis, through their treatment and recovery and adjusting to life beyond treatment – wherever they live in Australia and whatever their background.
The recommendations will collectively achieve significant and lasting change for people living with blood cancer, their families, carers and the Australian community. These approaches could also be applicable to many other cancers and across the health system as a whole. The fundamental principle of the National Action Plan is very simple: every Australian with a blood cancer should have equitable access to the best information, treatment and supportive care.
The National Action Plan is an independent project developed by the Blood Cancer Taskforce with secretariat support provided by the Leukaemia Foundation. The Leukaemia Foundation was commissioned by the Federal Government in 2019 to form the Blood Cancer Taskforce and develop the National Action Plan with the blood cancer community.
Resources
- Download the National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer [PDF] (8 MB)
- Download a copy of the key actions from the National Action Plan [PDF] (41 KB)
- Download the Consultation Summary [PDF] (11 MB)
- Download the Summary of Cancer Policies [PDF] (12 MB)
- Download the Review of Evidence for Action [PDF] (31 MB)
- Investment Case for Phase 1 [PDF] (2 MB)