Looking at how many people die and what caused their death can provide important information about the overall health status of a population.1 Mortality rates provides a useful indication of the diseases that have a greater impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait population. Between 2011-2015 cancer was the second leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, contributing to 21% of deaths across the New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.2 Lung cancer was the most common cancer causing mortality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the period 2012 to 2016.3 About one-third of cancer deaths are preventable.4 Every year in Australia, more than 13,000 cancer deaths are due to tobacco smoking, sun exposure, unhealthy diet, risky drinking of alcohol, not enough exercise or being overweight.
All of Australia’s states and territories have legislation mandating the notification of cancer diagnoses. Currently, cancer mortality data are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory for the years 2012 to 2016.5