The Australian Cancer Atlas

Australians can now discover the impact of cancer in their suburb or town, with the launch of a new cutting-edge Australian Cancer Atlas app, developed with the help of research funding through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS).

The interactive digital cancer atlas shows national patterns in cancer incidence and survival rates, based on where people live for 20 of the most common cancers in Australia—such as lung, breast and bowel cancer—likely reflecting the characteristics and behaviours, lifestyles and access to health services of people living in those areas.

This world leading project, led by researchers from Cancer Council Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology, with funding provided by FrontierSI, Cancer Council Queensland, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and additional support from ACEMS, will give health agencies and policy makers a better understanding of geographic disparities and health requirements across the country.

ACEMS researchers say that the atlas was designed to be user-friendly, with robust information and innovative visual presentations to help people interpret and understand the statistics, and it can be updated regularly so that all Australians can have access to the latest available information.

	The Australian Cancer Atlas seamlessly links different datasets Australia-wide, to better understand the cancer divide between metropolitan and rural areas, and map the gaps linked to socio-economic status and other demographic factors.

 

Image: Queensland University of Technology Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen with the Australian Cancer Atlas.
Credit: Anthony Weate, Queensland University of Technology.