Cancer is the third largest cause of death of Indigenous Australians. Evidence indicates this population group experience poorer outcomes as Indigenous people are often diagnosed with cancer later than non Indigenous people1. Over the past three years Hume Regional Integrated Cancer Service (Hume RICS) received several grants to up skill Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) and community about cancer.
Hume RICS have aimed to raise awareness and understanding of cancer in the local Aboriginal community by providing education for AHWs and the wider community about cancer, treatments and support services. An Aboriginal Project Steering Group was established with 50% Aboriginal membership. Successful cancer theory sessions, site visits to radiation, chemotherapy, breast screen and palliative care units were conducted and several resources have been developed.
This initial project has led to the Cancer Institute NSW funded; Aboriginal Cancer Partnership Project, which focuses on further increasing the knowledge of AHWs around cancer screening, treatment and palliative care. Placements were continued within cancer services for AHWs not only those working in the larger regional areas, but also AHWs located in the rural and isolated towns along the Murray River. As a result of the project work, a module “Provide information and support around cancer” has being developed by TAFE NSW and will be introduced into the AHW Primary Health Care Practice course at Albury TAFE.
The project work has aimed to develop a two - way learning between Aboriginal services and mainstream cancer services to build skills, knowledge and capacity of the Aboriginal health work force in cancer care. Hume RICS will continue to build on the solid relationships that have been established with the local and regional Aboriginal organisations and during 2015 will undertake an extension of the “Lets Yarn” project to provide culturally appropriate education around bowel, cervical and breast screening.