Cancer

Cancer is a term used for a variety of diseases that cause damage to the cells of the body [24363]. Normally cells grow and multiply in a controlled way, but cancer causes cells to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. If these damaged cells spread into surrounding areas or to different parts of the body, they are known as malignant. Some cancers can be treated, but the effectiveness of treatment and survival rates may vary between different types of cancer [24363][44306].

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience inequities in cancer outcomes due to various social, environmental and commercial determinants of health, alongside the on-going impacts of colonisation. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are aware of many behavioural risk factors associated with cancer, such as consuming a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking [47950], engaging in these risks is often driven by social factors such as racism and discrimination [49154][47115].

Evidence suggests that best practice for improving cancer outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires culturally safe, responsive and accessible health care [4]. Taking a holistic approach, that focuses on the healing process, can complement the biomedical model of healthcare and support the spiritual, cultural, emotional and social needs of Aboriginal people who have been diagnosed with cancer [43888].