Investigating Unmet Needs for Indigenous People Impacted by Prostate Cancer

  • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia and the third most common cause of cancer death in 2020. Across the Metro-North of Queensland, 5-year survival rates are lower than the national average. Based on national data, we estimate that these are a further 10% lower for Indigenous people. This study is a collaboration between the Indigenous Urban Institutes for Indigenous Health (IUIH), The University of Queensland (UQ) and Metro North Health (MNH).  Using SEED funding from the Research Alliance for Urban Goori Health (RAUGH) scheme, this research aims to generate pilot data that can guide co-designed intervention studies to directly meet the needs of Indigenous people when impacted by prostate cancer. More specifically, the study objectives are to better understand the cancer experience of Indigenous people impacted by prostate cancer; to identify the unmet supportive care needs of Indigenous people impacted by prostate cancer; and to develop a dataset that can act as a foundation that can guide future co-design opportunities that can improve access to healthcare services in primary and tertiary care.

    The study research design includes a validated survey (SCNATIP) offered to patients who identify as Indigenous who have received prostate cancer diagnosis at the Surgical Treatment And Rehabilitation Service in Metro North.  This facility is a major centre for prostate cancer diagnoses in South East Queensland.  They will also be offered a qualitative interview for them and/or their support.  

    Funding will be used to employ a research health worker and build capacity for these roles within the hospital health service.  

  • This project is funded by a RAUGH grant with further in kind contributions from Metro North Health, UQ and IUIH.

  • It is planned that recruitment will be completed by 1 December 2024 with the final report completed by 31st December 2024.

  • Dr Natasha Roberts, Conjoint Clinical Research Fellow, STARS Alliance, Metro North Health.  
    natasha.roberts@health.qld.gov.au

  • UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

    Metro North Hospital and Health Services

    Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

  • Dr Natasha Roberts  natasha.roberts@health.qld.gov.au