In 2020–21, more than two in five (44%) Australians aged 16–85 had experienced a mental illness at some time in their life, and more than one in five (21%) Australians had experienced symptoms of that illness in the previous 12 months.[64]
Mental illness includes a range of diagnoses such as anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. Mental illness affects not only the individual but also their families and carers, who play an important role in supporting people living with a mental illness including their interactions with the healthcare system.
People identifying as belonging to diverse populations may identify across multiple priority population groups. This intersectionality can result in compounding impacts of social, cultural, commercial and environmental determinants of health on cancer experiences and outcomes.
On average, people living with a mental illness die 20 years earlier than the rest of the population as a result of poorer physical health, including chronic conditions such as cancer.[65] Though linked data are not widely available, the 2017–18 Australian National Health Survey identified a higher rate of cancer in those with mental illness (2.6%) than in those without (1.6%).[66] There is also a strong association with mental illness and the use of tobacco.[66][67] For example, in 2011, lung cancer was the second leading cause of death in people who accessed mental health-related treatments.[68]
People with mental illness are more likely to experience physical comorbidity due to:
The Australian Cancer Plan aligns with the Equally Well Consensus Statement[71]and will support co-designed and tailored information to better support people living with a mental illness and cancer. Key changes seen in clinical practice will include optimal use of workforce (including practitioners working collaboratively and at the top of their scope of practice) and health professional education and training to improve their understanding of cancer risk for people living with mental illness.
The important role of family and carers will be recognised in supporting mental health consumers to engage with healthcare for better integrated cancer care, and service and delivery.
Stigma and discrimination will be reduced within the healthcare system to improve collaborative care for people living with mental illness and cancer, and their carers and family members.
Year: 2022
Author: Commonwealth and state and territory governments
The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement sets out the shared intention of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to work in partnership to improve the mental health of all Australians, reduce the rate of suicide toward zero, and ensure the sustainability and enhance the services of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system.
Year: 2022
Author: National Mental Health Commission, Australian Government
Vision 2030 provides a blueprint for a successful, connected mental health and suicide prevention system to meet the needs of all Australians. As part of Australia's Long Term National Health Plan, Vision 2030 takes a continuing approach to change and improvement.
Year: 2020
Author: National Mental Health Commission
The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan was developed under the co-leadership of Victoria, New South Wales, and the Commonwealth and has been informed by all jurisdictions. It supports the mental health of Australians during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Year: 2022
Author: Commonwealth and state and territory governments
The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement sets out the shared intention of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to work in partnership to improve the mental health of all Australians, reduce the rate of suicide toward zero, and ensure the sustainability and enhance the services of the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system.
Year: 2022
Author: National Mental Health Commission, Australian Government
Vision 2030 provides a blueprint for a successful, connected mental health and suicide prevention system to meet the needs of all Australians. As part of Australia's Long Term National Health Plan, Vision 2030 takes a continuing approach to change and improvement.
Year: 2020
Author: National Mental Health Commission
The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan was developed under the co-leadership of Victoria, New South Wales, and the Commonwealth and has been informed by all jurisdictions. It supports the mental health of Australians during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stakeholders noted that people with a mental illness may receive a delayed cancer diagnosis due to challenges in accessing screening and prevention programs.
Stakeholders noted that people with a mental illness may receive a delayed cancer diagnosis due to challenges in accessing screening and prevention programs.
Stakeholders raised the important role of family carers in supporting mental health consumers to engage with healthcare service providers. This should be acknowledged and better integrated into cancer care.
People living with a mental illness may have difficulties in accessing primary care services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, and in coordinating their cancer care.
The lack of consumer voices both in research findings and research production was raised. Also highlighted was the rarity of cancer and diagnosed mental illness being reported in the same dataset e.g., cancer registries. In addition, when co-reported data are available, it can be hard to identify which diagnosis came first.
Stakeholders raised that having a cancer diagnosis while living with a mental illness can create added complexity that needs to be addressed within the health system. Significant challenges occur when the behaviours, thoughts, or feelings of a person with a mental illness overshadow the care being provided by healthcare providers.
Education and training for the cancer care workforce should include improved understanding of the additional cancer risk for, and challenges faced by, people living with a mental illness.
The Australian Cancer Plan considers an intersectional and health equity approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is more than recognising the multiple backgrounds, experiences, and ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identify. This approach addresses the way membership of multiple groups may impact people's health and wellbeing needs and ability to access care.
Implementation of each action should consider the compounding impacts of intersectionality across other priority population groups.