Insights on Aboriginal peoples’ views of cancer in Australia

Abstract

Although the incidence of cancer in Indigenous peoples is similar to its incidence in the overall Australian population, Indigenous peoples are less likely to access early detection and medical interventions resulting in higher mortality and morbidity rates. To explore and address this discrepancy, the National Health and Medical Research Council funded a research study to examine Indigenous peoples' views of cancer and cancer treatments with an end goal of developing an innovative model of Indigenous Palliative Care. Seventy-two participants were interviewed from four geographical areas within the Northern Territory (Australia) including patients, caregivers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous health care workers, and interpreters. Indigenous peoples' views of cancer have to be examined within a historical, socio-political, and cultural context. There is no Indigenous word for cancer and the Western biomedical language that semantically constructs the notion of cancer is not widely understood. Additionally, for many Indigenous people, the aetiology of cancer is embedded in beliefs about the spiritual world of curses and payback from perceived misdeeds. The paper advocates for cross-cultural education initiatives, stressing the importance of a two way education strategy incorporating a process whereby medical and nursing personnel would improve their understanding of Indigenous peoples' view of cancer and Indigenous peoples would learn more about prevention and treatment of cancer from a biomedical perspective.

Lung cancer in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland: awareness and identifying health needs in a cultural context

“…Research studies conducted in the Northern Territory and Western Australia that looked at the use of traditional medicine concluded Indigenous Australians do seek conventional medicine when ill but would also use traditional medicine if it were easier to access, particularly people who live in urban centres. 27,95,96 There are both similarities and differences in this study with other research findings on the use of traditional medicine. The study found Gumbi Gumbi was the most mentioned type of traditional medicine in all three communities.…”

“…95 On analysing the quantitative and qualitative data some response patterns emerged. There was a small degree of consternation amongst peers regarding validity and generalisability because of the seemingly small sample size compared to population of the participating communities.…”

“…95 Challenges participants may have with literacy, the advantage of being able to observe body language and other non-verbal reactions which can supplement responses to questions helped in making the decision to use interviews. 80 Interviews and focus groups are a good method for research where participants have low literacy, where english is not the first language, and where sensitive subjects are being investigated.…”

“…21,94 Research exploring traditional medicine and attitudes to conventional medicine has shown that Indigenous Australians worry about toxicity of conventional treatments, have a more holistic view of health and can experience a disconnect with physicians if they do not feel culturally safe therefore are more likely to use traditional medicine. 10,95,96 Traditional medicine is widely used in Indigenous communities of the Northern…”

“…People also acknowledged other forms of alternative treatments such as acupuncture. 27,95 Doctors and other health professionals should discuss traditional medicine or other therapies as it is probable that they will seek advice from a traditional healer within their community. 27 Acknowledging traditional medicine may also help the patient feel that their cultural beliefs are respected which can encourage them to comply with medical advice and make informed decisions about the use of conventional treatments.…”