Plan to tackle cancer among Indigenous Aussies

A nationwide agency set up to tackle high rates of cancer among Aboriginal people hopes to push Indigenous cancer into the spotlight.

The National Indigenous Cancer Network (NICaN) will undertake Indigenous cancer research as well as help deliver support to communities.

"The mortality rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer is about 30 per cent higher than that of non-indigenous people", said NICaN co-ordinator Gail Garvey, who launched the centre on World Cancer Day in Sydney on Monday.

She said the agency was mainly an online network, which would provide evidence-based information on cancer among indigenous people, and "get researchers around Australia on the same page".

"We know that indigenous people are less likely to get surgery and other ... treatment, so we're trying to investigate some of the reasons why."

She said that until now, cancer had been a low priority on the Indigenous health agenda, despite the disease being the second leading cause of death among indigenous people. NICaN will also play an important role in educating indigenous people about cancer.

"Myths and cancer in the community go hand-in-hand. Many believe it's a death sentence," Ms Garvey said.

Adelaide Saylor, a 46-year-old indigenous woman from Brisbane, was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.

"I didn't know much about cancer because it was never spoken about in my mob, even though four of my aunties were diagnosed with cancer," she said.

"I think it was lack of knowledge of what was out there and what treatments and support there are."

Ms Saylor said NICaN's most important aspect, is that it will create a platform where Aboriginal people feel comfortable to talk about cancer.