Lay summary
The current New Zealand cancer action plan aims to provide modern cancer care, equitable outcomes, and increased survival. Exploring personalised screening provides insight into optimum pathways for early cancer detection, leading to increased survival and equitable outcomes for Māori and Pasifika peoples.
Our activation activity will inform a research project on implementation of personalised breast cancer screening in New Zealand. We will review international evidence on effectiveness of personalised screening and develop relationships with future local and international collaborators. This includes medical experts, Māori and Pasifika researchers and relevant agencies, such as Breast Screen Aotearoa and Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency. A data-driven exploration exercise will investigate potential benefits of personalised screening, with a focus on Māori and Pasifika outcomes. The ensuing larger research project will investigate practical implementation of candidate personalised screening strategies. This research is inline with a global shift towards personalised screening.