The development of the Australian Cancer Plan (the Plan) was a highly consultative and evidence-based process involving consultation activities, synthesis and analysis, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-design.
The development of the Plan was underpinned by a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy. Key consultation activities included:
A critical component of the Plan development process was the undertaking of synthesis and analysis of evidence, including:
The stakeholder consultation activities, together with the synthesis and analysis activities, led to the identification of national priorities that informed the ambitions, goals, and actions for the Plan.
A decision matrix was developed to assess and prioritise the actions underpinning the 2- and 5-year goal of each Strategic Objective. Actions specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were assessed and prioritised using a decision matrix co-designed and applied by a panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, policy makers and consumers.
Ambitions, goals, and actions were tested and refined through extensive consultation activities.
The Plan has been developed in accordance with world-class standards and is in line with the broader international health context, including the World Health Organization’s (WHO) resolution on cancer control.[12] Achieving equity in cancer outcomes will be a fundamental measure of success for the Plan and will align Australia with global calls to improve cancer outcomes for all people.
Experts have developed checklists that outline the necessary core elements for a successful National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP). These checklists are a valuable resource for policymakers to effectively develop and implement national cancer plans in accordance with world-class standards and in line with the broader international health context, such as the WHO’s resolution to cancer control.[12]
To ensure that the Plan responded to the WHO’s global call to action on cancer control and that the Plan’s development was aligned to world-class standards, Cancer Australia applied two NCCP checklists to the draft Australian Cancer Plan. The checklists were:
The application and outcome of these global quality control tools against the draft Australian Cancer Plan showed positive alignment and is published here. It is anticipated that an independent review of the final Australian Cancer Plan will also be undertaken.
Co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is fundamental to achieving better outcomes as well as change across the health system. Key Principles and Best Practices for co-design in health with First Nations Australians were developed to underpin the development of the Plan. Principles include First Nations leadership, Culturally grounded approach, Respect, Benefit to community, Inclusive partnerships and Transparency and evaluation.[15][16]
Aligned with the Key Principles for co-design with First Nations Australians, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led co-design approach has been adopted to develop the components of the Plan specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to provide advice across all Strategic Objectives of the Plan.
The Plan acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must have a role in decision-making regarding policies, programs and services that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
Advice was provided by Cancer Australia’s Leadership Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control and Cancer Australia’s Advisor, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control. The governance structure of the Leadership Group ensures broad participation and engagement from stakeholder groups, including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, leaders of influence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, research and policy, and consumers affected by cancer.
Members of the Leadership Group actively participated in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and targeted engagements, contributed to drafting and refining the 10-year ambition statements, the 2- and 5-year goals and actions, and reviewed draft Australian Cancer Plan content.
For the Plan to be successful, leadership and significant involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in developing, implementing and evaluating the Plan is required.
Two Advisory Groups were established to guide the development of the Plan:
Key stakeholders who informed the Plan included:
Cancer Australia held two rounds of public consultation to inform the Plan. All submissions were considered in the development of the Plan.
The first round of public consultation was held between November 2021 and March 2022 to seek Australia’s vision for a national cancer plan. Of the 275 submissions received, 136 submissions were made on behalf of organisations or collaborations, and 139 submissions were made by individuals.
The second round of public consultation was held between November and December 2022 to seek feedback on the draft Australian Cancer Plan. Of the 285 submissions received, 147 were made on behalf of organisations or collaborations and 138 submissions were made by individuals.
Throughout the Plan’s development, Cancer Australia undertook national engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, to raise awareness of the Plan and to provide opportunities for input. This included a workshop with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services as well as face to face meetings across Australia, supported by Cancer Australia’s Advisor on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control or a member of the Leadership Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control.