We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

Kulay Kalingka Study Report

Yardhura Walani, supported by Cancer Australia, is proud to release the Kulay Kalingka Study report. The report provides new data on cancer attitudes, beliefs and experiences from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective.  

Over 2,000 adults participated in the study and answered questions about beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of cancer. This included experiences of receiving care and treatment, having a diagnosis of cancer, and family and kin support. 
The report supports the national efforts of the Australian Cancer Plan to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.

Full report

About the data

The findings from the Kulay Kalingka Study are new and provide valuable information about the experiences of the people who participated in the study. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are diverse and have different experiences of cancer. The statistics provided in the report apply only to the participants of the Kulay Kalingka study and cannot be generalised to the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

Between 2011 and 2015, 6,925 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (3,435 males and 3,490 females) were diagnosed with cancer.
Between 2011 and 2015, 6,925 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (3,435 males and 3,490 females) were diagnosed with cancer.
In 2011, 66% of breast cancers and 87% of prostate cancers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were diagnosed at an early stage.
In 2011, 66% of breast cancers and 87% of prostate cancers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were diagnosed at an early stage.
Almost half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (40% of males, 50% of females) survived for five years or longer after a cancer diagnosis.
Almost half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (40% of males, 50% of females) survived for five years or longer after a cancer diagnosis.
From 2012-13 to 2018-19, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people smoking daily decreased from 41% to 37%.
From 2012-13 to 2018-19, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people smoking daily decreased from 41% to 37%.
The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 50-69 participating in BreastScreen Australia increased from 25% to 37%.
The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 50-69 participating in BreastScreen Australia increased from 25% to 37%.
Between 2014 and 2018, there were 3,345 deaths due to cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (1,773 males and 1,572 females).
Between 2014 and 2018, there were 3,345 deaths due to cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (1,773 males and 1,572 females).