Lay summary
Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death for Māori. Alarmingly, Māori lung cancer patients are 30% more likely to die compared to non-Māori – with this survival disparity unchanged for at least the last two decades. There is evidence that Māori are less likely to receive best-practice care during their cancer journey, and this may contribute to these enduring disparities. In this project, we will draw on new and existing evidence and ask: 1) to what extent are there differences between Māori and non-Māori lung cancer patients in access to services across the lung cancer pathway? And 2), to what extent are these differences modifiable, and how do we modify them to achieve equity? Our new national Cancer Action Plan sets the goal of achieving equity in survival for Māori by 2030; this project will inform the actions required to achieve this for our most deadly cancer.