Indigenous health care workers to get boost

A NEW program aimed at combating cancer survival disparities among indigenous communities will be held in Townsville this month for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

“Caring for Our Community” is Cancer Council Queensland’s two- day program, aimed at enhancing the role, knowledge and practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers in cancer care, prevention, screening, early detection and end- of- life care.

Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Chris McMillan said the workshops would equip health workers with knowledge to give back to their communities.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland continue to face a higher risk of dying from cancer than non- indigenous people, and are often diagnosed at a later stage,” she said.

Cancer Council statistics reveal only 59 per cent of indigenous people survive at least five years after a diagnosis, compared with 65 per cent survival rate for non- indigenous Queenslanders.

Ms McMillan said indigenous people were more likely to be diagnosed with late- stage cancers, and overall have lower participation rates in cancer screening and treatment uptake.

“Cancer remains one of the leading causes of premature death among indigenous Queenslanders and around 20 per cent of all cancer deaths can still be attributed to the survival disparity,” she said.

“It’s imperative to equip health professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to go back into their community and have those important conversations around early detection and cancer screening – right through to cancer care options and end of life care.”

The program will be held in Townsville on November 21- 22. Financial support is available to help regional and remote health workers attend.