16 Conclusions

The Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0 provides evidence of how the impact of cancer across Australia varies by geographical location and over time. It includes a broader range of cancer related indicators such as cancer screening and hospital treatment outcomes, and more cancer types than Atlas 1.0.

An important inclusion is the geographical patterns of five known broad groups of modifiable cancer risk factors, that is smoking, diet, physical inactivity, alcohol use and overweight/obesity. Given the strong impact that socioeconomic status and remoteness can play in mediating the prevalence of cancer risk factors, communicating disparities at the small area level in Australia may help guide policy makers working in cancer prevention.

Atlas 2.0 provides a crucial platform to shape informed policies and guide efforts to fight cancer in Australia and internationally.