Your voice matters in shaping the future of cancer care in Queensland

• Queenslanders are invited to share their ideas about cancer care in Queensland to help guide the development of the new Queensland Cancer Plan.
• Feedback will help guide the development of the Miles Government’s 10-year strategy to bolster cancer care across the state.
• Consultation remains open until 17 April, with the final plan earmarked to be launched in mid-2024.

More than 33,000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with cancer each year, including more than 300 children and young people.

That’s why the Miles Government is developing a 10-year strategy – the Queensland Cancer Plan – to revolutionise cancer care across the state.

This plan aims to significantly improve the experience of tens of thousands of Queenslanders diagnosed with cancer each year. 

Melanoma, prostate, breast, and lung cancers are among the most common types, leading to thousands of Queenslanders seeking cancer services including detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.  

Hearing from Queenslanders – their stories, suggestions, and insight, will be crucial in shaping this vital initiative. Starting tomorrow (Friday, 22 March), Queenslanders are encouraged to have their say by completing an online survey. 

This valuable feedback is sought from individuals, groups, and organisations with an interest in cancer care, including those directly affected by the disease, healthcare professionals, researchers, peak bodies, private providers, and community service providers.

A key priority of the Queensland Cancer Plan is to establish a robust network of services across the state. This network will enable increased access to care closer to patients’ homes, where clinically appropriate. 

The plan also strives to improve the experience of both patients and their caregivers through personalised and coordinated care throughout every stage of a cancer diagnosis. 

This includes better access to early detection services and a unified, statewide approach to research, innovation, and education in the field of cancer.

This comprehensive plan will complement the Miles Government’s commitment to building the $1.125 billion Queensland Cancer Centre – a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility situated within the Herston Health Precinct. 

The Plan will also build upon work already done with First Nations stakeholders across Queensland.

Once feedback from the consultation is processed, workshops will be held to further refine the development of the plan. 

The Queensland Cancer Plan is due to be launched this year, with further implementation plans earmarked for late 2024.

Have your say online from today, consultation will remain open until Friday, 17 April: https://app.converlens.com/health-qld/queensland-cancer-consultsurvey/consult-survey 

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“A cancer diagnosis is life-altering and impacts around 33,000 Queenslanders each year.

“From the initial diagnosis, a cancer patient must navigate through many parts of the health system for treatment and care, all at a time when they are grappling with the impact of the diagnosis and feeling unwell. 

“While we know the process will never be easy, we know there are ways we can make it better. 

“For people diagnosed with cancer in regional, rural, and remote areas, access to cancer services can be challenging, making their cancer treatment and care even more difficult. 

“The Miles Government is committed to ensuring diagnosis, treatment and care is more accessible, interconnected, and supportive for all Queenslanders, closer to home.

“Cancer impacts the lives of most Queenslanders, either directly or through a loved one.

“To make sure our healthcare system can better respond to the needs of Queenslanders over the next decade, we want to hear from you.

“I strongly urge all Queenslanders to have their say and share their ideas as we develop the Queensland Cancer Plan and revolutionise cancer across the state.”

Quotes attributable to Metro North Health Executive Director Cancer Care Services A/Prof Glen Kennedy:

“Cancer touches either directly or indirectly the lives of almost all Queenslanders, and so investing in additional resourcing and research into cancer care will only benefit the community,” he said.

“The Queensland Cancer Plan and Queensland Cancer Centre set within the Herston Health Precinct will ensure that in the future, Queenslanders will access up-to-date, cutting-edge treatment and research into cancer care.

“As part of the plan, we all look forward to seeing improved access to care in regional and remote areas to help ease the burden of travel and improve outcomes of our patients who often need to travel long distances for investigations and treatment. 

“Additionally, we welcome the plan’s focus on improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients undertaking screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer.”

Quotes attributable to CEO, Cancer Council Queensland CEO Andrew Donne:

“Cancer Council Queensland research reveals by 2030, more than 350,000 Queenslanders will be living with cancer.

“Now, more than ever, we need help to ensure no one is left facing cancer alone.

“While we have seen a significant increase in cancer survival rates, we are also witnessing more people than ever being diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis is life changing, both to the person diagnosed and the loved ones around them.

“We know that cancer incidence rates in Queensland have increased by 31% over the last 20 years and those living in remote and regional Queensland have increased by 77% over the same period.

“Cancer Council Queensland is committed to closing the care gap between clinical and supportive care for regional Queenslanders who have limited access to services, low rates of cancer screening participation, long travel times to services and treatment, and difficulty accessing survivorship interventions.

“At Cancer Council Queensland, there are three ways we are committed to reducing cancer’s impact on Queenslanders – research, prevention, and support.

“We have partnered with leading universities, healthcare providers and community leaders to prevent cancers, reduce cancer risk and detect cancer early to and provide the highest level of support to all Queenslanders impacted by cancer.

“Cancer Council Queensland supports the development of the Government’s Queensland Cancer Plan to provide better support to Queenslanders impacted by cancer.

“We are committed to ensuring people are accessing the right care, at the right time, in the right place – no matter where they’re living in Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Brisbane cancer survivor Denise Quaile: 

“This Cancer Plan is wonderful news, as cancer affects everyone in some way, and we need to be taking ownership of the services we want to see. 

“No one wants to be in hospital, so we need to make sure our voices are heard. 

“I’ve already told so many of my friends to have their say and to share their stories so that we can help make this plan the best possible. 

“My cancer journey was lonely, and I struggled with the loss of hope whilst having to coordinate all my appointments and treatment – it felt like a full-time job. 

“It has shaped me as a person, as a mother, as a wife, and every day when I wake up, I feel grateful for it. 

“I will forever be grateful for the care I received both at the Redlands Hospital and the Mater Brisbane.”

Background: 

Denise was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive cancer known as choriocarcinoma on Valentine’s Day in 2007, shortly after migrating with her husband from Ireland.

At first, she thought she was pregnant until doctors discovered the growing bump was a tumour. 

After the tumour was surgically rumoured, Denise was called back into hospital where she was told the cancer had spread to her lungs. 

“I was at my desk at work at 10am to suddenly having a PET scan at midday.”

After five months of both inpatient and outpatient care, including many chemotherapy treatments at what feels like her second home, Mater Brisbane, Denise is now in remission and has gone on to have two beautiful children. 

She now spends part of her days volunteering at Redland Hospital, giving back to the care givers who saved her life through the Metro South’s Bayside consumer team.

Photos of Denise available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j5smfm1lirr27c6c5k4nd/h?rlkey=u1pjnwcdfapvr9gki9wnmp0o5&dl=0

ENDS

Media Contact - Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719