Rare Cancers Australia has collaborated with the VCCC Alliance to develop a new resource to help primary care professionals to recognise and manage rare cancers.
The course takes approximately three hours to complete online and is designed for primary healthcare professionals, including general practitioners (GPs), nurses, allied health professionals and community health workers, who play a vital role in delivering accessible, comprehensive care.
While grounded in primary care practice, the key themes of recognition, referral and support are relevant to any clinician seeking to build their confidence and capability in caring for people affected by rare and less common cancers.
The course was developed with input from patients, clinicians and health professionals from the Rare Cancers Australia and VCCC Alliance communities, ensuring the lived experience is highlighted and shared.
What is the course about?
The course has a focus on the critical role primary care providers can play in early recognition, safety netting and coordinated care.
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
- recognise the unique diagnostic and management challenges rare and less common cancers present in primary care settings
- apply best practices in early referral and ongoing patient support to enhance optimal care outcomes.
We know people with rare cancers are often diagnosed at a later stage, with an impact on their experiences and outcomes. Our Cancer Lived Experience Survey found:
- 21% of respondents waited at least six months between their first appointment about symptoms and being tested for cancer
- 7% of respondents waited more than three years between their first appointment about symptoms and being tested for cancer.
Rare cancers often have vague symptoms, lack screening programs, and awareness in the community and among health professionals can be limited. Increasing knowledge and awareness in primary care settings can help care providers to understand and navigate diagnostic uncertainty, referral pathways and multidisciplinary care. Ultimately, this knowledge can lead to earlier detection and diagnosis, and improved outcomes for people with rare and less common cancers.
