Revised Breast Cancer Handbook Helps Indigenous Health Workers And Patients

Cancer Australia consulted with Indigenous health experts and leaders to revise the widely-used Breast Cancer Handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.

The handbook provides information on breast cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and support.

The revised edition includes advice on supporting social and emotional wellbeing, palliative care, and breast cancer in men.

It has been a critical resource for many Indigenous health workers, helping to build knowledge and skills to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients within their own communities.

The publication also contains information on breast cancer symptoms and encourages breast cancer screening.

It also includes practical advice about how bush medicine could complement conventional treatments for breast cancer.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Senator the Honourable Malarndirri McCarthy said social support and emotional care for those affected by breast cancer are just as important as physical care during treatment.

“This evidence-based handbook gives our dedicated health workers the tools they need to provide culturally appropriate care and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and expertly guide them through their cancer journey,” Ms McCarthy said.

Cancer Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control Adviser, Professor Jacinta Elston said while breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there were few resources providing evidence-based guidance to the Indigenous health professionals who support them.

“It is vitally important for Indigenous Australians affected by cancer to feel supported along their health care journey,” Ms Elston said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners are best placed to provide this support in their communities.”

The handbook is available online at www.canceraustralia.gov.au.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellbeing
• First Nations Peoples