Aboriginal communities
Cancer Institute NSW
Published 8 February 2019
The Cancer Institute NSW would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians, and pay our respect to Elders, both past and present.
The NSW Cancer Plan aims to improve cancer outcomes across the community. It recognises that there are people or communities who have a higher risk of cancers and have poorer cancer-related health outcomes.
We acknowledge that Aboriginal people experience a higher burden of cancer with higher mortality rates.[1] We understand the importance of taking into consideration the social and cultural elements that underpin Aboriginal health when developing a program of work for Aboriginal communities that aims to reduce the incidence of cancer across NSW.
- Aboriginal Australians are three times as likely to develop liver cancer and are 3.3 times as likely to die from liver cancer as other Australians.
- Aboriginal Australians are 1.9 times as likely to develop and die from lung cancer as other Australians.
- Aboriginal females are 2.5 times as likely to develop cervical cancer and 3.8 times as likely to die from the disease. They also have a lower chance of surviving five years after diagnosis (56% compared with 72%) than other Australian females.1
- Aboriginal females diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003–2007 had a 100% higher risk of dying by 2010 than other Australian females.
Achievement through collaboration
Improving the health of Aboriginal communities in relation to cancer will involve all parts of the cancer control system.
In partnership with Aboriginal communities across the state, our strategies will be implemented in line with state and national plans, frameworks and other NSW Health policy directives relevant to Aboriginal health.
What we are achieving for Aboriginal communities
We are working across cancer prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and research to improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people. Over the past 12 months, we have achieved the following:
Implemented the Cancer Institute NSW Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
The Institute's Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) demonstrates our commitment to reconciliation by creating meaningful opportunities for staff and members of the community. It strengthens respect and understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians, and will support the delivery of equitable and safe cancer services for Aboriginal communities in NSW.
Supported cancer prevention, screening and treatment pathways
- We engaged with Aboriginal ambassadors to support the delivery of cancer screening, early detection and prevention campaigns. For example, the BreastScreen NSW Aboriginal Engagement Project involved community events held in Coffs Harbour, Orange and Campbelltown, where we partnered with local Aboriginal breast cancer survivors to champion breast screening.
- We informed Aboriginal women living in NSW about the changes to the National Cervical Screening Program.
- We continue to work with representatives from the Aboriginal community to develop culturally-appropriate information resources to support the Aboriginal population, such as fact sheets, banners, brochures and flyers.
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We developed brochures for the Aboriginal community to explain the lung cancer pathway (Finding lung cancer and Having lung cancer) in consultation with 17 Aboriginal Medical Services across NSW. These resources assist Aboriginal people to identify the symptoms of lung cancer and, if diagnosed, make informed decisions about their treatment. This project is currently being evaluated.
Collaborated on the National Indigenous Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot
Menzies School of Health Research and the Australian Government Department of Health are working together to deliver the National Indigenous Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot in 50 sites across Australia.
This pilot is also known as the 'Alternative Pathway'. The project will develop a coordinated national approach to promote bowel cancer awareness; encourage screening; and identify effective changes in clinical practice. Indigenous primary health care services across NSW have been engaged.
Visit Indigenous Bowel Screen external for further information, including stories from Indigenous Australians who have experienced cancer, and their families.
Supported Aboriginal communities working towards improved cancer control
- We improved services for the NSW Aboriginal Quitline. A female advisor is now available to work with pregnant Aboriginal women. We will implement the Aboriginal Quitline Engagement Strategy to increase calls and referral pathways to the Aboriginal Quitline.
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- We continue to work across all areas of cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment and research to explore strategies that support primary health care providers. For example, the NSW Primary Care Strategy for the bowel, breast and cervical screening programs identifies Aboriginal people as a priority group.
Engaged with Aboriginal communities to inform cancer control initiatives
Building workforce capacity
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We launched the Aboriginal Scholarship Program, a joint initiative with a range of key stakeholders, including the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, the Poche Centre and NSW TAFE. As part of the program, we created a Cancer Awareness Short Course for Aboriginal health professionals. Eleven successful applicants are now going to complete their work placement in cancer care settings.
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The inaugural Aboriginal Cancer Network Forum was held in March 2018, bringing together health professionals working to support Aboriginal people affected by cancer. Planning is underway for the 2019 Forum, which is an opportunity to display the great work happening across NSW, share information and identify priorities towards reducing the burden of cancer on Aboriginal communities.
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If you would like to be part of the Aboriginal Cancer Network, please contact CINSW-Events@health.nsw.gov.au
To learn more about cancer, treatment and support services for Aboriginal people, visit Cancer information for the community.
Quit smoking mini series
Owen Craigie and Timanu Tahu on how smoking impacts Aboriginal communities.
Lung cancer resources for Aboriginal people
The following resources have been designed to help those who have, or may have a lung cancer diagnosis better understand what questions to ask to receive the best possible care.
- Finding lung cancer (brochure)
- Finding lung cancer (poster)
- Having lung cancer (brochure)
To order a copy of these resources, please email us with your request.
National Aboriginal Health Plans & Frameworks
NSW Cancer Plan initiatives for Aboriginal communities
Across each goal of the NSW Cancer Plan, specific initiatives have been developed to build on current relationships in partnership with Aboriginal communities, including:
- public education campaigns and support services to reduce smoking
- strategies to encourage participation in national cancer screening programs
- strategies to more effectively engage with the primary health care sector
- culturally-appropriate early assessment, diagnosis, surveillance and treatment pathways
- culturally-appropriate tools and resources that support Aboriginal people affected by cancer
- initiatives to better engage Aboriginal people in service planning and delivery
- culturally-appropriate methods of collecting patient-reported outcomes.
Progress of the NSW Cancer Plan is regularly monitored and evaluated. Find more information on the indicators used to track against the Plan's objectives.
Reference
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Cancer Australia 2013. Cancer Australia. Cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia: an overview. Cancer series no.78. Cat. no. CAN 75. Canberra: AIHW.
The Aboriginal Cancer Network Forum aims to bring together health professionals working to support Aboriginal people affected by cancer.
Having regular Cervical Screening Tests can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by up to 96%. A Cervical screening Test picks up early warning signs that can be treated before cancer develops.
One session of shisha or water-pipe smoking lasting an hour can be as harmful as smoking 100-200 cigarettes.
Find bowel screening resources to help both health professionals and patients.
This eight part mini-series follows Owen Craigie and Timana Tahu, two Aboriginal former smokers and professional rugby league players.
This campaign engages Aboriginal women aged 18-69 to increase awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of Pap tests.
Aboriginal people in NSW have higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than non-Aboriginal people.
The Aboriginal Cancer Partnership Program enhanced cancer care and cancer outcomes for Aboriginal peoples in NSW.
Early detection of breast cancer is key to survival and effective treatment—Aboriginal women are currently less likely to participate in this cancer screening program.
