The National Indigenous Cancer Network (NICaN) is a partnership between the Menzies School of Health Research, the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, the Lowitja Institute and Cancer Council Australia.
NICaN was established in 2013 and aims to improve health services for Indigenous people with cancer. NICaN brings together Indigenous audiences, consumers, service providers, researchers and health professionals from a broad range of disciplines, as well as private sector and government organisations.
NICAN is a critical part of the translation of Indigenous cancer research into practice. It aims to ensure that what's known about cancer in Indigenous Australians is available for use by people with cancer, their families, practitioners, policy makers and researchers. This is achieved by using existing information, identifying knowledge gaps and encouraging and supporting collaboration in research and service provision.
NICaN’s activities are supported through two major research partnerships: The DISCOVER-TT Centre of Research Excellence and a Strategic Research Priority program, STREP-Ca-CIndA.
In addition to the links with these research partnerships, NICaN provides:
- plain language information about cancer (click on the resources tab)
- a dedicated Yarning Place discussion forum and Twitter account @NICaN Australia
- the opportunity to attend annual network meetings and Indigenous Cancer Roundtables
- support for Indigenous Cancer Ambassadors
- cancer awareness events such as Walking the Talk Cancer Day
- policies and strategies that address cancer among Indigenous people
- a comprehensive collection of publications, conference presentations and resources
- information about training courses, workforce development and organisations that provide support for Indigenous people with cancer, their families and friends.
To access NICaN’s online portal, please visit CancerInfoNet.
Key staff:
- Associate Professor Gail Garvey
- Professor Joan Cunningham
- Jenny Brands
- Bronwyn Morris
- Brian Arley
- Bridget Kehoe
- Alana Gall
Collaborators:
The National Indigenous Cancer Network (NICaN) has been established in partnership with:
- Menzies School of Health Research
- Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
- Lowitja Institute
- Cancer Council Australia.
- Discovering Indigenous strategies to improve cancer outcomes via engagement, research translation and training (DISCOVER-TT)
- Strategic research partnership (STREP Ca-CindA)
-
A vulvar cancer cluster caused by genetic susceptibility: investigating the genetic mechanism
- An integrated national assessment of cervical cancer prevention, incidence and survival for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a data linkage study
- Distinctive cancer care requirements of Indigenous cancer patients
- Effects of co-morbidities on cancer treatment and survival
- Supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer patients across Australia
- A comparative study of the patterns of care, comorbidities and quality of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with cancer
- Closing the divide: assessing and navigating the unmet supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer patients.
CancerInfoNet provides recent references compiled from HealthInfoNet’s bibliographic database addressing cancer among Indigenous peoples. References are divided into general and specific topics and include journal articles, reports, theses and other literature.
Fact sheets:
The information in the fact sheets has been adapted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Menzies School of Health Research in consultation with a Clinical Advisory Group and an Indigenous Consultation group. Production by Cancer Council.
Publications, policies and further resources are available via CancerInfoNet.
