Where you live, and what you earn, could determine your chances of surviving one of Australia's fastest-growing cancers
While it is good to see that current analysis shows a closing of the gap for all cancers combined,
for neuroendocrine cancer the gap between those with the best outcomes and those with the worst is widening
Analysis of newly released Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows neuroendocrine
cancer has emerged as an outlier among major cancers, with widening disparities linked to socioeconomic disadvantage, regional and remote living, and First Nations status.
Unlike many other cancers, where health outcomes are gradually becoming more equitable,
neuroendocrine cancer is moving in the opposite direction.
People living in Australia’s most disadvantaged communities are experiencing the highest mortality rates,
while people in rural and remote areas are seeing the fastest growth in new diagnoses, even though
specialist neuroendocrine cancer care remains concentrated in metropolitan centres.
First Nations Australians are also disproportionately affected, with incidence rates substantially higher
than those of non-Indigenous Australians across more than a decade of national data.
“This isn’t simply a cancer story. It’s an equity story,” said Meredith Cummins, CEO of NeuroEndocrine
Cancer Australia.
“Where you live, how far you are from specialist care, and your socioeconomic circumstances are
increasingly influencing outcomes for people diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.”
Neuroendocrine cancers are frequently difficult to diagnose because symptoms often mimic more
common conditions. Many Australians are not diagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced
stage, when treatment options may be more limited.
For patients living outside major cities, those challenges are often compounded by the need to travel
hundreds of kilometres to access multidisciplinary specialist care.
The data highlights that while overall cancer outcomes in Australia continue to improve, neuroendocrine
cancer is following a different trajectory. When benchmarked against all other cancers reviewed,
neuroendocrine cancer stands out as a clear equity outlier. The analysis found that it has widening
inequities over time, while gaps for all other cancers combined are remaining stable or gradually narrowing.
The findings suggest that Australians affected by neuroendocrine cancer are not benefiting equally from
improvements in cancer detection, treatment and survival, with those experiencing socioeconomic
disadvantage or living further from specialist care facing the greatest risk.
Last year alone, NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia’s specialist nurses, counsellors and dietitians
delivered more than 75,500 minutes of one-to-one virtual support to Australians living with
neuroendocrine cancer, helping bridge the gap for patients unable to access specialist services close to
home.
“This data reinforces what patients have been telling us for years,” Ms Cummins said.
“No Australian should have a poorer chance of accessing specialist care simply because of their
postcode.”
“These findings are a call to action. Earlier diagnosis, better access to specialist expertise and greater
support for rural, regional and disadvantaged communities must become national priorities.”
“The Australian Cancer Nurse Navigation Program, which funds Specialist Cancer Nurse, Counselling and
Dietician services online for NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia, is key to addressing the inequities.
Funding for this is due to expire in June 2027, and without further government commitment, this vital
support will be impacted, creating further inequity.”
Read the full media release here.
