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Culturally safe communication skills for non-indigenous health professionals Tip Sheet

This Tip Sheet provides practical advice for cancer care specialists and other health professionals to optimise culturally safe and responsive communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and carers.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer

With the assistance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Cancer Australia has compiled answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COVID-19 vaccines for people who have been affected by cancer.

1 Feb 2022

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer: Information for the healthcare team

With the assistance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Cancer Australia has compiled answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COVID-19 vaccines for people affected by cancer. 

1 Feb 2022

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Cancer and COVID-19 - what it means for our Mob

Having cancer can be a stressful situation, made more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s really important for our Mob that we take particular care of ourselves, stay isolated as much as possible, especially if you are 50 or over and have one or more chronic conditions, and practise social

30 Apr 2020

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Cancer Australia's Reconciliation Action Plan for 2019 to 2021

Working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities to identify national priorities to help close the gap on cancer outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

21 Mar 2019

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Reports and plans | People affected by cancer, and their family and friends | Health professionals
Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer

The Optimal care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer has been developed with the aim of reducing disparities and improving outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.

15 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Quick Reference Guide

This Quick Reference Guide provides guidance to health practitioners and service planners on optimal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer, across the cancer continuum.

15 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Cancer - what to expect

This information explains what to expect before, during and after your cancer treatment, and tells you about the care you should be offered. Your carer, family and community might also find this information helpful.

15 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Checking for cancer - what to expect

This information explains what to expect while you’re getting checked out. Your carer, family and community might also find this information helpful.

15 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Gynaecological cancers: a handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners

A handbook for Health Workers and Health Practitioners to help provide information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with gynaecological cancers.

31 Jul 2018

Cancer Type: 

Gynaecological cancers

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends | Health professionals
Women's Business Workshop - Community Education Resource

This community education resource has been developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to conduct a Women’s Business Workshop.

17 Mar 2016

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer | Cervical cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Women's Business Workshop: Cervical Cancer flyer

A flyer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women about cervical cancer.

17 Mar 2016

Cancer Type: 

Cervical cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Women's Business Workshop: Looking after your breasts flyer

A flyer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on how to find breast cancer early.

17 Mar 2016

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
My lung cancer pathway

A guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families, which contains information to help people understand more about lung cancer. This booklet is designed to be used as a hard copy resource.

22 Nov 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung Cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Our Lungs, Our Mob Community Education Resource

To help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners to conduct an Our Lungs, Our Mob workshop for community members. The workshop aims to increase awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer and the benefits of early diagnosis.

31 Jul 2018

Cancer Type: 

Lung Cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends | Health professionals
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework (the Framework) provides high-level guidance and direction for the many individuals, communities, organisations and governments whose combined efforts are required to address disparities and improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal

23 Sep 2015

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Cancer Australia reports and plans
Providing information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with lung cancer (DVD)

This is a combination of two DVDs that aim to get people looking out for the symptoms of lung cancer. The DVDs were developed by Hume Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (Hume RICs) in collaboration with the Lung Foundation Australia and with support from Cancer Australia.

20 Apr 2015

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Lung Cancer in our Mob: a handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

The handbook provides information about the lung cancer journey including symptoms,  treatment options and after-treatment care. It has been written for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Liaison Officers involved in the care of Aboriginal

18 Mar 2015

Cancer Type: 

Lung Cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Cancer Australia Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2018

Cancer Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the years 2015-2018  promotes our commitment to reconciliation and will contribute to our work in addressing the gap in cancer outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

18 Mar 2015

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Reports and plans | People affected by cancer, and their family and friends | Health professionals
Report to the nation: cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia 2013

This document provides a summary of national statistics on the most common cancers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Cancer Australia report Cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia 2013:

12 Jan 2015

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
My breast cancer journey: a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families

Cancer Australia has developed a new resource My breast cancer journey: a guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families which outlines the clinical management of the early breast cancer journey to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer and

18 Nov 2014

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Breast Cancer: a handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

This handbook has been written to help health professionals support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with breast cancer. Increasing the understanding of breast cancer may help to encourage earlier investigation of symptoms, and contribute to the quality of life of people living with breast

12 Nov 2015

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Facilitator’s Guide: Providing information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer

This resources support the delivery of the unit of competency: HLTAHW036 - Provide information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer.

12 May 2017

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Learner’s Guide: Providing information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer

This resources support the delivery of the unit of competency: HLTAHW036 - Provide information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer.

12 May 2017

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Learner’s Resource: Provide information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer

This resources support the delivery of the unit of competency: HLTAHW036 - Provide information and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer.

12 May 2017

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Study of breast cancer screening characteristics and breast cancer survival

This study provides a national overview of breast cancer screening and survival in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of Australia. Cancer Australia (formerly National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre*) undertook this study in response to the clear evidence of disadvantage among Aboriginal

6 Feb 2015

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control Research Report

15 Feb 2016

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Looking after your breasts, find breast cancer early and survive

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer statistics

The information incorporates the most up-to-date data available to describe the incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence of cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  The ICD-10 cancer codes associated with ‘All cancers combined’ and individual cancer types can be found

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Forum

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework

This Framework identifies the national priorities for the many communities, organisations and governments whose combined efforts are required to address the disparities and improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous Australians.  

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Cancer Australia is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to reduce the impact of cancer on Indigenous Australians. We have a range of resources which provide information to support you and the work you do.

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
COVID-19 vaccines and Cancer - Help protect out Mob

People with cancer are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of more severe infection. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting yourself, family and community.

25 May 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Act early for our Mob's health

It’s important to act early for our Mob’s health as the earlier cancer is found, the better.

17 Jun 2020

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Cancer and COVID-19 - what it means for our Mob

30 Apr 2020

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Yarn For Life

Cancer can affect anyone. But the good news is, finding cancer early gives you the best chance of getting better.

14 Jun 2019

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Lots to Live For (Subtitles)

A breast awareness video to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to overcome any barriers to finding & surviving breast cancer. Share this video with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across Australia – because we have lots to live for!

2 Oct 2017

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Lots to Live For

A breast awareness video to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to overcome any barriers to finding & surviving breast cancer. Share this video with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across Australia – because we have lots to live for!

2 Oct 2017

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Our Lungs, Our Mob

Our Lungs, Our Mob is an information video on lung cancer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. It provides important information on risk factors, prevention and early detection, lung cancer symptoms and who to see when experiencing symptoms of lung cancer.

22 Nov 2015

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework

Working together to improve Indigenous cancer outcomes. Featured in the video is Professor Tom Calma AO, National Coordinator for Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Member of the Framework Steering Group. In the video Tom speaks about Cancer Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

26 Aug 2015

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Consumers, communities, organisations and governments
Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people with cancer - shortened

A new, first of its kind, Optimal Care Pathway provides principles & guidance to ensure that cancer care is responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

14 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer

A new, first of its kind, Optimal Care Pathway provides principles & guidance to ensure that cancer care is responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

14 Aug 2018

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends
Joe's Lung Cancer Journey - Joe has a symptom

The first in a series of four videos that shows Joe's journey from diagnosis of lung cancer to post-treatment. This video gives information around the symptoms of lung cancer.

20 Nov 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Joe's Lung Cancer Journey - After Joe's Diagnosis

The second in a series of four videos that shows Joe's journey from diagnosis of lung cancer to post-treatment. This video shows Joe talking to his health worker, after his diagnosis of lung cancer.

20 Nov 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Joe's Lung Cancer Journey - Joe's Treatment

The third in a series of four videos that shows Joe's journey from diagnosis of lung cancer to post-treatment. This video shows Joe talking to his health worker, after treatment for lung cancer.

20 Nov 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Joes' Lung Cancer Journey - After Joe's Treatment

The final in a series of four videos that shows Joe's journey from diagnosis of lung cancer to post-treatment. This video shows Joe talking to his health worker, after his treatment for lung cancer.

20 Nov 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cancer Forum

Cancer Australia held a two-day National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Forum on 11 -12 June 2014, in Brisbane QLD. In line with the Forum theme, ‘Working together on cancer’, Cancer Australia brought together over 150 health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait

20 Aug 2014

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

People affected by cancer, and their family and friends | Health professionals
My Story

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women sharing their experiences of breast cancer. Please note this video may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

14 Sep 2012

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
What every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should know 1 Breast awareness animation

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
What every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should know 2 Marilyn's story

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
What every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should know 3 Topsy's story

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
What every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should know 4 Ivy's story

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
What every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should know 5 Beryl's story

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Breast cancer myths

25 Jul 2011

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Consumers
Lung Cancer in our Mob: an online learning module for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

This module is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Liaison Officers involved in the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with lung cancer.

17 Aug 2016

Cancer Type: 

Lung cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills – tips for non-Indigenous health professionals

The resource comprises a series of short videos and a key messages tip sheet providing practical advice for cancer care specialists to optimise culturally safe and responsive communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and carers. 

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills - Module 1: Introduction

This module provides an overview of the key considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout their cancer journey.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills - Module 2: Delivering a diagnosis

This module provides an overview of the key considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the stage of diagnosis, including when delivering bad news.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills - Module 3: Staging and treatment

This module provides an overview of the key considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during staging and treatment.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills - Module 4: Care after treatment and recovery

This module provides an overview of the key considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during care after initial treatment and recovery.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Culturally safe communication skills - Module 5: Managing recurrent, residual and metastatic

This module provides an overview of key considerations when communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about managing recurrent, residual and metastatic disease.

8 Nov 2021

Cancer Type: 

All Cancer Types

Audience: 

Health professionals
Breast Cancer: a handbook for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers

This handbook has been written to help health professionals support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with breast cancer. Increasing the understanding of breast cancer may help to encourage earlier investigation of symptoms, and contribute to the quality of life of people living with breast

1 Jan 2012

Cancer Type: 

Breast cancer

Audience: 

Health professionals