Working with Aboriginal communities
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the countries throughout NSW and Australia, and recognise the continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present.
Aboriginal people are the first peoples of Australia and have strong cultures and communities. The Cancer Institute NSW is committed to achieving health equity for Aboriginal peoples in NSW and to ensuring services respond to the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal people and cancer
Every day around five Aboriginal people are diagnosed with cancer. Aboriginal people have a slightly higher rate of cancer diagnosis, tend to get cancer at an earlier age and are approximately 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than non-Aboriginal people.1,2
Primary care practitioners play an important role in cancer control and are well placed (through ACCHO’s or mainstream GP practices) to promote healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk, encourage regular population cancer screening, manage tests/referrals for people with possible cancers and support patients through their diagnosis/treatment and afterwards.
Aboriginal Health Check
Aboriginal people can access a 715-health check funded by Medicare (MBS item 715) every nine months. These checks are free at Aboriginal Medical Services and general practice bulk-billing clinics.
Providing health assessments for Aboriginal people and incorporating prevention and cancer screening into health assessment templates is an important step in supporting improved cancer screening participation and healthy lifestyle choices.
See further module information on patient centred care for Aboriginal communities.
Helpful resources
- Ngununggula - Walking and Working Together: A manual for health professionals supporting Aboriginal people with Cancer - Developed by The Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service. This project has been a collaboration between the AH&MRC, University of Sydney (Michelle Dickson), UOW, and Menzies SHR and Coordinare PHN, and funded by Cancer Australia.
View more
- RACGP Resource Hub - Supporting effective, culturally safe primary healthcare.
View more
The following resources maybe useful to support cancer screening and prevention activities when using Communicare Software:
- Data Reference Manual for Communicare (PDF)
- NCSR: Connecting to the NCSR
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP)
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The NBCSP website provides a comprehensive range of culturally appropriate educational and promotional materials for health professionals and communities.
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A community education flip chart to assist health workers to talk with Aboriginal people about bowel cancer and bowel cancer screening.
Cancer Institute NSW
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Do the test webpage – provides culturally appropriate information for including personal story videos
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Postcards resources: ‘Bowel screening is women’s business’ and ‘Bowel screening is men’s business’.
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Cancer Institute NSW ‘What is cancer screening?’ factsheet and brochure (PDF) for Aboriginal communities explaining bowel, breast and cervical screening.
Primary Care Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit
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BreastScreen NSW factsheets, posters and brochures developed by and for Aboriginal women.
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Cancer Institute NSW ‘What is cancer screening?’ factsheet and brochure (PDF) for Aboriginal communities explaining bowel, breast and cervical screening.
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BreastScreen Australia posters, brochures and videos about breast screening are available for Aboriginal women.
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Primary Care Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit - Breast Screening QI Module
Information on BreastScreen NSW's 'PUTUWA' pilot project
Aboriginal women are diagnosed at an earlier age and with more advanced breast cancers. BreastScreen NSW is delivering a pilot project in 2022 to engage Aboriginal women aged 40-49 years in breast screening. Key messages will be updated to general practice to support the implementation of the pilot which will involve active recruitment of Aboriginal women from 40 years.
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National Cervical Screening Program - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders resources – posters, brochures and factsheets about cervical screening available in different Aboriginal languages.
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Cancer Institute NSW cervical screening information for Aboriginal women
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Cancer Institute NSW 'What is cancer screening?' factsheet and brochure (PDF) for Aboriginal communities explaining bowel, breast and cervical screening.
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South Eastern Sydney Local Health District ‘When’s Bub due?' poster (PDF) and video promoting the safety of cervical screening during pregnancy to Aboriginal communities.
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Primary Care Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit - Cervical Screening QI Module
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The Tackling Indigenous Smoking program aims to improve the health of Aboriginal people by reducing the prevalence of tobacco use through population health promotion activities.
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The Australian Government also funds up to two courses of nicotine patches or oral forms of NRT (gum, lozenge) per year on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people who identify as Aboriginal.
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Aboriginal people can access Aboriginal Quitline Advisors who are available to provide support to quit. For more information on the Aboriginal Quitline, download the brochure (PDF).
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For more information and resources visit the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Resources Centre.
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Primary Care Cancer Control Quality Improvement Toolkit - Smoking Cessation QI Module
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019. Cancer in Australia 2019. Cancer series no.119. Cat. no. CAN 123. Canberra: AIHW.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018. Cancer in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. Accessed August 2022.