Create a Roadmap for future policy and practice

As multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests continue to evolve, clear guidance is needed to support the next steps for their evaluation and potential future use in Australia. This component will bring together findings from across the MCD Spotlight program to develop a comprehensive Roadmap for policy and practice.

The Roadmap will consolidate insights from all study components, from reviews of international evidence, to the needs and perspectives of the Australian public and health professionals, and to potential benefits, harms, costs and cost-effectiveness. A dedicated policy-focused roundtable will further ensure that the Roadmap incorporates priorities of relevant different interest-holders, including policy-makers and industry.

The final Roadmap will align with key national strategies, including the Australian Population Based Screening Framework, the Australian Cancer Plan 2023–2033, and the forthcoming National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control, to ensure consistency with Australia’s long-term vision for cancer prevention and early detection.

By working closely with interest-holders, this component will help ensure that future decisions about MCD testing are evidence-based and grounded in principles of responsible, patient-centred innovation.

Together, this work will provide essential evidence on how MCD tests could be used to maximise health benefits for Australians, supporting Australia’s leadership in genomics-informed cancer screening.

The research activity is led by A/Prof Julia Steinberg (The Daffodil Centre) Prof Karen Canfell (Cancer Elimination Collaboration).