Lung cancer in Indigenous people and the elimination of cervical cancer will come under the microscope at the third World Indigenous Cancer Conference (WICC), to be held in Naarm (Melbourne) from 18-20 March, 2024.
Sponsored by the Victorian Government and hosted by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (VCCC Alliance) in partnership with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, WICC 2024 will identify international research priorities and foster collaboration between delegates.
National Conference convener, and VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Associate Professor Kalinda Griffiths said the conference would shine a light on cancer disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people around the world, including here in Australia.
Lung cancer continues to be the biggest killer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, A/Prof Griffiths said – who is also Director, Poche SA + NT, Flinders University, South Australia – as smoking has not decreased at the same rate as it has in non-Indigenous Australians.
“There is a 20-year lag time from starting smoking until lung cancer develops. We have the opportunity now to make great strides at the national and international level to support those people who are going to be impacted over the next 10 to 15 years,” A/Prof Griffiths said.
Despite vaccinations for HPV, cervical cancer remains a greater healthcare issue for Indigenous peoples than non-Indigenous communities, and elimination is a World Health Organization priority, A/Prof Griffiths said. In Australia this initiative is driven by Associate Professor Lisa Whop, National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, who is among the conference presenters.
Professor Gail Garvey AM, conference founder and WICC foundational convenor said while significant progress has been made in cancer control across Australia in recent decades, the gap in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians continues to widen.
“Indigenous Australians are 14 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and 20 per cent less likely to survive at least five years after diagnosis compared with non-Indigenous Australians,” Professor Garvey said.
“Survival for Indigenous Australians also remains lower in regional and remote areas than in metropolitan centres. The conversations we’ll be having at this conference are crucial to addressing the widening gap in cancer inequities for Indigenous peoples not only in Australia, but around the world.”
Professor Grant McArthur AO, VCCC Alliance Chief Executive Officer said: “I am exceptionally proud that Victoria and the VCCC Alliance has the opportunity to host the World Indigenous Cancer Conference,” says “I look forward to being part of these discussions, witnessing a process of agenda-setting, and supporting the important work that comes next.”
More than 500 attendees from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Sweden, the UK, and the US are attending. Among them will be US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, who will provide opening remarks before the first plenary session on Monday, 18 March.
In a first for a conference of this kind, a dedicated forum for Indigenous Elders and youth will be held on the Sunday before the event begins. By facilitating conversations between Indigenous Elders and youth, this special forum will bring an intergenerational perspective to set the conference agenda.
A yarning circle will be held throughout the conference to enable the informal exchange of ideas and stories—a vital part of building connections across the international cancer care community.
Learn more about World Indigenous Cancer Conference 2024.
For further information and interview requests, contact Michelle Henderson, Acting Head of Communications and Community ([email protected]) | 0417 765 311, or Alice Allan, WICC Lead ([email protected]) | 0403 724 453.
