Media release

From: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

New research led by Peter Mac medical oncologist Professor Michael Jefford has identified major opportunities to strengthen cancer survivorship care across the Western Pacific.

The region includes Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and parts of Asia, and is home to more than 13 million people with a personal history of cancer. Yet many face ongoing challenges that are not well addressed within current care systems.

While cancer survival is improving, many people continue to face serious challenges after treatment ends including long-term physical effects, emotional distress, financial strain and difficulty navigating healthcare systems.

In two new articles published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, Professor Jefford, in collaboration with Professor Ray Chan at Flinders University, describes how survivorship care across the region remains inconsistent, often under-resourced, and too frequently overlooked in national cancer plans.

“More people are surviving cancer than ever before, which is wonderful progress,” Professor Jefford said. “But survival alone is not enough. We must ensure people can live well during and after cancer - physically, emotionally, socially, and financially.”

Despite vast differences between countries, cancer survivors across the Western Pacific face remarkably similar challenges. These include limited access to tailored follow-up care and a lack of focus on survivorship in policy and planning.

Cultural factors also shape how people manage life after cancer. In many communities, traditional medicine and local support networks play a crucial role in recovery. Recognising and integrating these elements into survivorship care could help make support more accessible, relevant, and culturally safe.

“A holistic approach to survivorship is vital,” Professor Jefford said. “This includes understanding cultural beliefs, listening to survivor voices, and linking medical, psychological, and community-based support.

“Survivorship is not a one-size-fits-all journey.”

Promising models of care are emerging across the region, including primary care-led follow-up, shared-care models, and self-management approaches. However, the researchers emphasise that stronger partnerships and better coordination are needed to scale these innovations and share lessons across borders.

“Enhancing survivorship care requires global collaboration; by bringing international experts together to strengthen our knowledge of effective practices, Flinders University alongside the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre are leading the way,” said study co-author Professor Raymond Chan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Flinders University.

“Together we’re calling for greater awareness and actions to improve support and close service gaps for cancer survivors everywhere,”

“Cancer survivorship is a global challenge, but one that can be tackled more effectively if countries work together,” Professor Jefford said.

“By sharing knowledge, aligning policy, and strengthening local capacity, we can reduce inequities and help people affected by cancer live the best lives possible.”

Papers: Global Need, Regional Action: Opportunities to improve cancer survivorship care in the Western Pacific and Cancer survivorship in the Western Pacific: from differences to shared goals, and from challenges to opportunities.