Yarrabah launches $2.3m community-controlled cancer care program

Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service has launched a $2.3 million Cancer Care Program in Yarrabah, aiming to deliver culturally safe, community-controlled support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families across every stage of the cancer journey.

The Cancer Care Program has been established within Gurriny Yealamucka’s Public Health unit after securing $2.3 million over three years through the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

The service is based in the Far North Queensland community of Yarrabah, east of Cairns, and is designed to ease the burden of treatment and improve outcomes.

Key Points

Gurriny Yealamucka says the model is community-controlled and built to meet local needs in a culturally grounded way. The program extends support from diagnosis through to treatment, recovery and palliative care, with a focus on practical, emotional and cultural assistance for patients and families.

Culturally safe, family-centred care

Gurriny Yealamucka’s Director of Clinical Services, Dr Jason King, told the Cairns Post the service was structured to meet people where they are, with comprehensive supports tuned to community expectations and cultural priorities.

He emphasised that care in Yarrabah recognises the central role of family and community, rather than focusing solely on individuals, and that this approach underpins the program’s design.

According to Dr King, the program supports people living with cancer, cancer survivors, newly diagnosed patients and those on a palliative pathway. He highlighted that family is treated as the core unit of care in Yarrabah, reflecting local values and lived realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care.

Dedicated support officers will assist patients and families to organise appointments, arrange transport, and stay connected to specialist services in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane. That assistance is expected to be particularly important in Yarrabah, where transport barriers persist despite the community being less than an hour from Cairns.

Prevention, screening and early detection

Alongside care for people already living with cancer, Gurriny Yealamucka says the initiative includes a prevention focus. The program will use yarning circles, local education and culturally grounded approaches to encourage screening and promote early detection.

In a statement announcing the initiative, Gurriny Yealamucka said the effort iwas centred on ensuring community members and families feel supported and informed throughout what can be a difficult time. The health service said the program will help “shift the conversation” around cancer in the community, encouraging people to seek screening and support earlier.

Community message and next steps

Gurriny Yealamucka said the program was about ensuring no one has to navigate the cancer journey alone. The health service emphasised that the initiative provides help with appointments, care understanding and staying connected to services, while supporting families during challenging periods. It added that it aims to normalise conversations about cancer and promote earlier engagement with screening and support.