Supporting cancer control for Indigenous Australians: initiatives and challenges for cancer councils

Shahid, Shaouli; Beckmann, Kerri; Thompson, Sandra

doi:10.1071/ah080056

Cited by 16 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…This covered the same areas as those of the previous environmental scan and was developed following a review of relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature on cancer-related services and Aboriginal people and cultural security and discussion within the research team which included Aboriginal people [9,12]. It explored the following areas: human resources and employment of Indigenous staff, engagement with Indigenous communities, policies and strategic directions, physical environment, targeted resources and programs, accessibility and use by Indigenous clients, and support for Indigenous health organisations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was Cancer Council Australia who convened the inaugural national Indigenous Cancer Forum in Darwin in August 2004, a step that raised the consciousness of those with an interest in cancer control and the potential role of Cancer Councils (CCs) in reducing Indigenous disparities in cancer outcomes. Cancer Council SA held a similar state based 2 day forum in September 2006 in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. Activities of CCs specifically directed at Indigenous Australians subsequent to this forum were mapped 18 months later in a 2006 environmental scan [5]. Environmental scanning is used in the health care sector to identify emerging issues within the broader economic and political environment and resembles an analysis of health strategies and policies, institutional support systems, programs and interventions with the aim of strengthening health reform and health systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control

et al. 2014

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BackgroundIndigenous Australians have poorer outcomes from cancer for a variety of reasons including poorer participation in screening programs, later diagnosis, higher rates of cancer with poor prognosis and poorer uptake and completion of treatment. Cancer prevention and support for people with cancer is part of the core business of the State and Territory Cancer Councils. To support sharing of lessons learned, this paper reports an environmental scan undertaken in 2010 in cancer councils (CCs) nationwide that aimed to support Indigenous cancer control.MethodsThe methods replicated the approach used in a 2006 environmental scan of Indigenous related activity in CCs. The Chief Executive Officer of each CC nominated individuals for interview. Interviews explored staffing, projects, programs and activities to progress cancer control issues for Indigenous Australians, through phone or face-to-face interviews. Reported initiatives were tabulated using predetermined categories of activity and summaries were returned to interviewees, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Subcommittee and Chief Executive Officers for verification.ResultsAll CCs participated and modest increases in activity had occurred in most states since 2006 through different means. Indigenous staff numbers were low and no Indigenous person had yet been employed in smaller CCs; no CC had an Indigenous Board member and efforts at capacity building were often directed outside of the organisation. Developing partnerships with Indigenous organisations were ongoing. Acknowledgement and specific mention of Indigenous people in policy was increasing. Momentum increased following the establishment of a national subcommittee which increased the profile of Indigenous issues and provided collegial and practical support for those committed to reducing Indigenous cancer disparities. Government funding of “Closing the Gap” and research in the larger CCs have been other avenues for increasing knowledge and activity in Indigenous cancer control.ConclusionsThis environmental scan measured progress, allowed sharing of information and provided critical assessment of progress across areas of importance for increasing Indigenous cancer control. Structured examination of policies, institutional support systems, programs and interventions is a useful means of highlighting opportunities for progress with minority groups relevant for many organisations. Progress has occurred with momentum likely to increase in the future and benefit from commitment to long-term monitoring and sharing of achievements.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control

et al. 2014

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“…This project was developed in response to a need identified by health service providers for greater understanding of Aboriginal Australians' beliefs, understanding and experiences of cancer, cancer care and treatment[34]. Aboriginal people have also argued for their health needs to be better understood by the western health system.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

"If you don't believe it, it won't help you": use of bush medicine in treating cancer among Aboriginal people in Western Australia

Shahid

Bleam

Bessarab

et al. 2010

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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111

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BackgroundLittle is known about the use of bush medicine and traditional healing among Aboriginal Australians for their treatment of cancer and the meanings attached to it. A qualitative study that explored Aboriginal Australians' perspectives and experiences of cancer and cancer services in Western Australia provided an opportunity to analyse the contemporary meanings attached and use of bush medicine by Aboriginal people with cancer in Western AustraliaMethodsData collection occurred in Perth, both rural and remote areas and included individual in-depth interviews, observations and field notes. Of the thirty-seven interviews with Aboriginal cancer patients, family members of people who died from cancer and some Aboriginal health care providers, 11 participants whose responses included substantial mention on the issue of bush medicine and traditional healing were selected for the analysis for this paper.ResultsThe study findings have shown that as part of their healing some Aboriginal Australians use traditional medicine for treating their cancer. Such healing processes and medicines were preferred by some because it helped reconnect them with their heritage, land, culture and the spirits of their ancestors, bringing peace of mind during their illness. Spiritual beliefs and holistic health approaches and practices play an important role in the treatment choices for some patients.ConclusionsService providers need to acknowledge and understand the existence of Aboriginal knowledge (epistemology) and accept that traditional healing can be an important addition to an Aboriginal person's healing complementing Western medical treatment regimes. Allowing and supporting traditional approaches to treatment reflects a commitment by modern medical services to adopting an Aboriginal-friendly approach that is not only culturally appropriate but assists with the cultural security of the service.

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“…[31][32][33][34] Scanning enables an organisation to search the external environment as a means of 'information seeking', to understand and learn about a defined topic assisting strategic project planning. 35,36 Findings from environmental scans in health may also have relevance to health professionals, consumers, health associations, external organisations and government policy makers to assist in health program planning and decision making.…”

Section: Methods Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advance care planning, culture and religion: an environmental scan of Australian-based online resources

Pereira-Salgado¹,

Mader²,

Boyd

2018

Aust. Health Review

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Objectives. Culture and religion are important in advance care planning (ACP), yet it is not well understood how this is represented in ACP online resources. The aim of the present study was to identify the availability of Australian-based ACP websites and online informational booklets containing cultural and religious information.Methods. An environmental scanning framework was used with a Google search conducted from 30 June 2015 to 5 July 2015. Eligible Australian-based ACP websites and online informational booklets were reviewed by two analysts (APS & PM) for information pertaining to at least one culture or religion. Common characteristics were agreed upon and tabulated with narrative description.Results. Seven Australian-based ACP websites were identified with varying degrees of cultural and religious information. Seven Australian-based ACP informational booklets were identified addressing culture or religion, namely of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (n = 5), Sikh (n = 1) and Italian (n = 1) communities. Twenty-one other online resources with cultural and religious information were identified, developed within the context of health and palliative care.Conclusions. There is no comprehensive Australian-based ACP website or informational booklet supporting ACP across several cultural and religious contexts. Considering Australia's multicultural and multifaith population, such a resource may be beneficial in increasing awareness and uptake of ACP.What is known about the topic? Health professionals and consumers frequently use the Internet to find information. Nonregulation has resulted in the proliferation of ACP online resources (i.e. ACP websites and online informational booklets). Although this has contributed to raising awareness of ACP, the availability of Australian-based ACP online resources with cultural and religious information is not well known. What does this paper add? This paper is the first to use an environmental scanning methodology to identify Australianbased ACP websites and online informational booklets with cultural and religious information. What are the implications for practitioners? The results of this environmental scan present the availability of Australianbased ACP websites and online informational booklets containing cultural and religious information. A thorough understanding may assist in identifying gaps for future ACP project planning and policy objectives, consistent with meeting cultural and religious needs. This may be beneficial for health professionals, consumers, health associations, organisations and government policy makers concerned with ACP.

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Supporting cancer control for Indigenous Australians: initiatives and challenges for cancer councils

Abstract: As in other developed countries, the Australian population is ageing, and cancer rates increase with age.

Cited by 16 publications

References 11 publications

Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control

Making progress: the role of cancer councils in Australia in indigenous cancer control

"If you don't believe it, it won't help you": use of bush medicine in treating cancer among Aboriginal people in Western Australia

Advance care planning, culture and religion: an environmental scan of Australian-based online resources

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