Disparities in cancer outcomes exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader population. Early detection of cancer has proven positive impacts on cancer outcomes, enabling early intervention, timely treatment and increasing survival rates. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significant discrepancies in their access to culturally safe and timely cancer screening programs.

This 5-year action seeks to consider the:

• expansion of current health assessments covered through Medicare to include more aspects of care and support (as appropriate) to enable earlier detection of cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for example, MBS Item 715 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health Assessment
• introduction of new MBS items to reduce barriers to cancer screening and/or cancer care prevention services.

Expansion to and increased uptake of Medicare funded services for cancer care could enable increased access to and uptake of cancer prevention and early intervention activities, including health promotion and education, health assessments, cancer screening and genomic testing.

Connection with communities, through appropriate cultural protocols and process, will be critical to the successful implementation of this action and to increase prevention activities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This could include engagement with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector and guided discussions between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, general practitioners and other health workers.