Putting people at the centre of cancer care
New commentary calls for cancer survivorship care to put people first. More than supportive care, it's a learned discipline that every survivor should expect.
Published on the 09 July 2026
A new commentary inspired by discussions at the launch of the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship in February 2026 is calling for a fundamental shift in how cancer survivorship care is understood and delivered.
Researchers, clinicians and consumers agreed that cancer survivorship care is, at its heart, about people, not just cancer. The commentary argues that survivorship care is more than "supportive" care. It is a discipline that must be learned, cultivated and embedded across the health system.
High quality survivorship care requires healthcare professionals to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to support people throughout and beyond their cancer experience. The commentary reinforces the Centre's vision of making survivorship care a core component of cancer care rather than an optional add on.
The message is clear. Cancer survivors want and should expect care that is compassionate, evidence informed and centred on their needs every day.