2021 End of Financial Year Appeal - Radiation Therapy Talking Book accessibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients
Did you know?
Every year thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are diagnosed with cancer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a higher rate of cancer diagnosis and are approximately 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.
Better communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients is critical to saving lives
Menzies is working to support 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients from three cancer centres in Darwin, Cairns and Townsville through a study looking at their experience of cancer treatment.
The Menzies 4Cs project is producing a Radiation Therapy Talking Book which will help explain radiation treatment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer patients and their families. We are developing this book into a mobile app with audio translations in English and selected Indigenous languages (e.g. Yolngu Matha) in order to reach as wide an audience as possible.
Knowledge and understanding are important weapons in the fight against cancer
The Talking Book has been designed to improve communication between patients and their health providers, increase knowledge and understanding of radiation therapy treatment, reduce patient distress and increase the uptake and completion of radiation therapy.
The project, which focuses on improving patient care and treatment outcomes, is First Nations-led by researchers at Menzies in partnership with clinicians from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in Darwin, Cancer Centre in Townsville, and the Icon Cancer Centre in Cairns.
How you can help
Your financial contribution will go towards providing devices to each patient undergoing treatment so that they are able to access the Radiation Therapy Talking Book at home and share it with their families and carers.
Our financial target for the project is $25 000 by 30 June 2021.
Please join us in working to improve cancer survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
To donate please contact Amelia Pickering at development@menzies.edu.au who will be happy to assist you with your donation.