"I'm a survivor": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors' perspectives of cancer survivorship.
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Date
2020-03-20
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Affiliation(s)
(Meiklejohn) Centre for Online Health, Faculty of Medicine Princess Alexandra Hospital, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
(Bailie) University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
(Adams) Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
(Garvey, Arley) Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
(Bernardes, Marcusson, Arley) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, QLD, Australia
(Williamson) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Martin) University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
(Martin) Southside Clinical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Walpole) Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Walpole) Cancer Stream Leader-Metro South Health and Hospital Service, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Valery) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Locked Bag 2000, Queensland, QLD 4029, Australia
(Bailie) University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
(Adams) Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
(Garvey, Arley) Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Diseases Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
(Bernardes, Marcusson, Arley) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, QLD, Australia
(Williamson) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Martin) University of Newcastle, School of Medicine and Public Health, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
(Martin) Southside Clinical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Walpole) Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Walpole) Cancer Stream Leader-Metro South Health and Hospital Service, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
(Valery) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Locked Bag 2000, Queensland, QLD 4029, Australia
Year
2020
Citation
Cancer Nursing. Vol.43(2), 2020, pp. 105-114.
Journal
Cancer Nursing
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The authors acknowledge the ongoing support of the Lowitja Institute, Australia's National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research.
Abstract
Background: Disparity in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people after cancer diagnosis is multifactorial, including lower cancer screening participation, later diagnosis, reduced access and uptake of cancer treatment, higher rate of comorbidities, and barriers accessing the health system. Little is known about cancer survivorship experiences. Objective(s): The aim of this study was to explore Indigenous Australian cancer survivor's perspectives of cancer survivorship. Method(s): Indigenous people who completed cancer treatment 6 months to 5 years before fieldwork were recruited from a tertiary hospital and remote primary health service for this qualitative study. Data collection was guided by yarning methods, a culturally appropriate method emphasizing storytelling. Data were interpreted using a social constructionist framework. Result(s): Thirteen women and 6 men were interviewed. Participants' past experiences contributed to their specific identity as survivors. Participants described factors affecting a positive transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor and the importance of ongoing family support in helping to manage survivorship. Finally, participants described a range of community support they received and provided to others and how this improved their cancer survivorship. Conclusion(s): Although a range of experiences are presented, this study provides evidence that the survivorship perspectives of Indigenous cancer survivors may be, in part, shared by non-Indigenous cancer survivors. Implications for Practice: Acknowledging Indigenous cancer survivors' past experiences and how these influence their overall well-being is important for providing patient-centered and culturally appropriate care. Nurses and other healthcare professionals may use this knowledge to foster a range of coping strategies to assist Indigenous cancer survivors to live well.Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PubMed ID
30543569 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=30543569]
Type
Article
Study type
Qualitative study
Subjects
Cancer