The Shaping the Future: Indigenous People and Cancer 2018 Roundtable provided an opportunity to consider current issues and trends and envisage a future that best supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer. To do this, the conference involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer and the key people working in research, policy and practice to the 2018 roundtable.
 

Key Findings:

• There needs to be a changed narrative around cancer, with greater cancer-related health literacy and understanding by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. More and better conversations about cancer, survivorship and death and dying. A better understanding by health service providers and others about what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities want and need.
• An appropriate workforce across the cancer control spectrum, including skilled/trained and supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at all levels of the system and in the full range of positions (including specialists), as well as culturally competent non-Indigenous staff who can communicate effectively.
• Closing the gap in prevention and early detection by increasing screening participation and increased immunisation coverage and a focus on reduced prevalence of tobacco use.
• There needs to be an appropriate, culturally safe, culturally informed end of life and palliative care is available and accessible to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer and their families and carers.