Balanced News: Cancer travel programme falling short – ‘It’s stopping people from accessing treatment’

The Cancer Society is calling for reforms to the underfunded National Travel Assistance Scheme, which supports cancer patients who need to travel long distances for treatment. A government review in 2018 found the scheme to be underfunded, complicated, and creating inequities for those who need it most. Cancer Society chief executive Rachael Hart warns that people are unable to access treatment due to the high cost of travel and the scheme’s failure to keep up with inflation. The Cancer Society has released a manifesto seeking investment in prevention, improvements in early detection and diagnosis, and better access to cancer care services.