Improving cancer care for CALD populations across NEMICS

In the Australian and Victorian Cancer Plans, CALD communities are a noted priority population, highlighting inequities in how cancer services currently understand and accommodate the needs and experiences of CALD populations.

Within Victoria, an estimated 25% of all cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals born in non-English-speaking countries. In the NEMICS region, non-English languages are spoken in about 180,000 households and approximately 35% of residents were born in a country other than Australia. Victorian admitted episode data indicates that between 2019-2023, approximately 30% of all NEMICS region cancer admissions were for CALD patients.

To improve the understanding of CALD communities’ cancer care priorities, experiences, and outcomes in the NEMICS region and/or Victorian cancer services, a series of investigations were conducted that explored CALD recognition and priorities within cancer policy, CALD patient experiences across Victorian cancer services, CALD community organisation consultation, and analysis of CALD healthcare data and outcomes.

This report summarises the key findings from these investigations, and aims to help inform cancer services reform and quality improvement, supporting priorities for equitable cancer care and outcomes for the CALD community.