New research explores Indigenous Australians’ Experiences of Cancer Care

A new study led by Principal Research Data Analyst Saira Sanjida from UQ’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Health has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

This study critically reviewed Indigenous peoples’ cancer care experiences in the Australian healthcare system from the patient’s point of view.

Three main themes were found in healthcare services from Indigenous cancer care experiences: communication, cultural safety, and access to services. 

While some challenges will need long-term and collective efforts, such as institutional racism as a downstream effect of colonisation, cultural training for healthcare providers and increasing the volume of the Indigenous workforce, such as Indigenous Liaison Officers or Indigenous Care Coordinators, could effectively address this inequity issue for Indigenous people with cancer in Australia in a timely manner.