Friday August 30, 2024

Why the lottery of where you live, your age, gender, sexual orientation, income, or language, is keeping Australians up at night.

Seven in ten Australians are living in fear that where they live, their age, gender, sexual orientation, income, or language used at home, will impact their treatment and chances of surviving cancer, if diagnosed.

New YouGov data commissioned by the Leukaemia Foundation also shows that two thirds of people greatly fear a cancer diagnosis, with Millennials most worried (71 per cent), followed by Baby Boomers (63 per cent), and Gen X (62 per cent) .

With one in twelve Australians estimated to be diagnosed with blood cancer in their lifetime , and awareness of the disease low, Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti said the results were deeply concerning, particularly because discrimination can often perpetuate health inequities.

“These latest results highlight the need for greater awareness of cancer in Australia to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive care for everyone,” said Mr Tanti.

“We already know there is a troubling and stubborn cancer health divide affecting many different communities across the country.

“Those living regionally, First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are among those who can face significant barriers in getting a timely cancer diagnosis or receiving the best available treatment and supportive care.

“When paired with these latest findings, it’s clear these priority groups are living in fear for good reason and are at an unfair disadvantage simply because of where they call home, the language they speak, or their culture.

“The insights of Australians’ perceptions of cancer show us much more work needs to be done to support, inform and educate people, especially those more likely to experience health inequity.”

Blood cancer, including leukaemia, myeloma, and lymphoma, continues to remain one of Australia’s most deadly and prevalent cancers.

In Australia today, a staggering 53 people will be told they have blood cancer, or one person every 27 minutes, with a further 17 people losing their life to the disease.

Mr Tanti added, “Blood cancer is a significant public health issue with 41 per cent of Australians diagnosed living in regional, rural, or remote areas.

“Sadly, compared to patients in major cities, these people are less likely to survive five years beyond their cancer diagnosis , with more limited access to healthcare professionals and services forcing them to travel long and expensive distances for treatment and care.

“Our CALD communities face a different set of barriers. If the language spoken at home isn’t English, we know that can impact their ability to properly understand health information and navigate unfamiliar health systems.

“LGBTQIA+ people on the other hand, often feel socially isolated and may delay seeking medical care due to fear of discrimination or a lack of trust in the system.

“All of these issues, particularly when combined, are substantial, and it’s little wonder that people are facing significant fears about being diagnosed with cancer, and their chances of survival.”

The Leukaemia Foundation’s new campaign, A Fair Go, aims to address the fear and uncertainty around blood cancer to ensure every Australian, regardless of who they are, has the knowledge, resources, and support they need to face blood cancer head on.

A Fair Go will also support healthcare professionals with the Leukaemia Foundation additionally developing new resources and information for the priority population groups and spearheading new initiatives and research programs to help combat the issues they face.

“Where someone lives, their age, gender, sexual orientation, income, cultural background, or language spoken at home, should not impact their chances of surviving cancer, and frankly we find it unacceptable that seven in ten Australians live with this fear.

“We firmly believe that every Australian with blood cancer deserves a fair go when it comes to treatment and care, and we’re addressing the issue of inequity head on.”

The Leukaemia Foundation is committed to tackling the issue of equality and discrimination and advocating for all Australians affected by blood cancer to bridge the gaps, create equal opportunities to access the best treatment, support, and care, and close the health divide for good.

During Blood Cancer Month this September, the Leukaemia Foundation encourages all Australians affected by blood cancer, and those interested in finding out more, to go to bloodcancer.org.au.