The risk of dying from cancer is higher for Aboriginal patients in New South Wales, Australia, according to a study to be presented at the upcoming Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) 2022 annual meeting.
The study is the largest and most comprehensive population-based study of Aboriginal cancer patients in Australia to date. It reports that Aboriginal patients have a 10-year survival rate of 53% versus 66% for non-Aboriginal patients, according to a press release issued by RANZCR on 6 October.
In addition, Aboriginal people have a higher use rate of radiation therapy than non-Aboriginal patients (30% vs. 25.7%), likely due to adverse factors such as presenting with more advanced cancer and inability to afford surgery, the organization said.
The study supports efforts behind RANZCR's Targeting Cancer campaign, an initiative launched in 2013 to raise awareness of radiation therapy as an effective, safe, and sophisticated treatment for cancer.
The RANZCR annual meeting is being held on 27-30 October in Adelaide. Organizers noted that one of the Targeting Cancer campaign's signature events, The Fun Run, will be held during the annual meeting.
