Policy Context

Ms Melissa Arduca, Acting Assistant Director of Cancer Strategy & Development, Department of Health & Human Services, spoke on the policy context of the Lung Cancer 2019 Summit. 

There is still work to be done to ensure equitable access and outcomes for cancer patients in regional and lower socio-economic areas, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities, and to reduce variations in outcomes between tumour streams. The goal of this work is to give all patients timely access to the best care. Optimal Care Pathways for ATSI communities are now available.

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Highlighting the Lung Cancer Framework , a national resource for health professionals and service providers to support local adoption of delivery of best practice, is in alignment with nationally-endorsed optimal care pathways is a reminder that Australia as a whole is engaged in a long-term and ongoing effort to shift to optimal cancer care.

Data Themes

Associate Professor Lung Cancer 2019 Summit Clinical Working Party Co-chair Gavin Wright presented on patterns of care for lung cancer in Victoria (2013–2016).

Data presented at the Summit can be considered in the context of whether:

1. there is variation from the statewide average

2. a variation in a health service or Integrated Cancer Service region is unwarranted

3. the statewide average is sufficient or we should 'aim higher'

4. there is variation from the optimal care/best practice goal.

Consumer Recognition Presentation

Dr Lisa Briggs is an osteopath and exercise physiologist.

She is a passionate patient advocate who has been living with stage IV lung cancer for four and a half years. Lisa opened the summit with a 13-minute video presentation, sharing cancer treatment plan experiences of Victorian lung cancer patients and carers.