Services and support
Cancer care program
From early checks to treatment and continuing support
AMSANT’s cancer team supports member services to improve cancer care and bridge gaps in cancer-related service delivery, so the unique journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is respected and supported at every step.
What we do
The cancer team focuses on the whole cancer journey—from health promotion and screening, through to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care. We support services to build stronger systems around cancer, so that people are offered the right checks at the right time, are followed up when something is found, and are not left to navigate complex hospital and specialist systems on their own.
We help services identify gaps in cancer care, connect with specialist providers, and develop practical solutions that fit local communities. Our work includes advocacy, workforce development, communities of practice and collaborative projects that strengthen cancer care across the Northern Territory.
Why this program matters
Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death for Aboriginal people, and outcomes are often worse when cancers are found late or when care is fragmented and culturally unsafe. Many people have to travel long distances for tests and treatment, juggle family and cultural responsibilities, and deal with systems that can feel confusing or uncaring.
The cancer team helps make sure that cancer care is shaped around Aboriginal people and communities, not the other way around. We support earlier screening and detection, better communication between services, and more culturally safe care. This work aims to reduce preventable deaths from cancer, improve people’s experiences of care and keep families better informed and supported throughout the cancer journey.
Our focus areas
The cancer team works with services to strengthen cancer prevention and early detection, including culturally appropriate health promotion and support for bowel, breast, cervical and other cancer screening programs. We help member services to promote regular screening in ways that make sense for local communities, and to build systems that flag when people are due or overdue for checks.
We also focus on improving pathways into and through cancer services—from primary health care into diagnostics, specialist appointments, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up care. This includes exploring more culturally safe models of support, reducing barriers to access, and promoting better communication between hospitals, specialist clinics and ACCHSs.
How we support member services
We share information about training opportunities and updated guidelines, help services to access resources for cancer-related health promotion and screening, and support staff to integrate cancer checks into routine primary health care. We also facilitate communities of practice where staff can share experiences, ask questions and learn from each other about what works in cancer care for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
When needed, we advocate with and for member services to government and system partners, raising issues about access, coordination and cultural safety in cancer services, and feeding member perspectives into NT-wide planning and strategy work, including the development of cancer-related plans.
Who we work with
The cancer team works with:
- Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs) across the Northern Territory
- Aboriginal health practitioners, nurses, GPs, remote area nurses and other clinicians involved in cancer prevention, screening and follow-up
- hospital-based cancer services, specialist clinics and outreach teams
- community organisations, elders and local leaders involved in health promotion and support for people and families living with cancer
- government departments, NT PHN, NACCHO and other partners involved in cancer policy, planning and funding.
Our impact
Through the cancer team, AMSANT is helping services to:
- strengthen cancer screening and early detection in Aboriginal primary health care
- improve the cultural safety and coordination of cancer care pathways
- increase staff awareness and skills in cancer-related guidelines, screening programs and referral processes
- build stronger relationships and more equal partnerships between ACCHSs, hospitals and specialist cancer services.
Current projects & initiatives
Cancer screening and guideline support
sharing resources and training opportunities to help services implement current cancer screening guidelines, including bowel, breast and cervical screening, in culturally safe ways.
Culturally safe cancer promotion and screening
working with ACCHSs and communities to explore more culturally grounded ways to talk about cancer, encourage early checks and support people to take part in screening programs.
Improving access to cancer-related care
identifying barriers and trialling practical solutions to improve access to diagnostics, treatment and follow-up care for Aboriginal people, including better navigation and communication between services.
Stakeholder engagement and advocacy
collaborating with hospitals, government and other partners to improve systems and ensure ACCHSs’ needs and community perspectives are heard in Northern Territory cancer planning and decision-making.
Get in touch
To find out more about the cancer team, upcoming training or how we can support cancer care in your service, please contact: