Patterns of Cancer Care for Aboriginal People in NSW (APOCC)
Cancer Council NSW is investigating cancer experiences of Aboriginal people in NSW
- Cancer is the second biggest killer of Aboriginal people in NSW
- Aboriginal people have a 60% higher death rate compared to non-Aboriginal people
- Very little is known about the cancer experiences of Aboriginal people in NSW
- To improve the outcomes for Aboriginal people we need to understand the current gaps in cancer treatment and diagnosis
APOCC Project Team
Chief Investigators
Professor Dianne O'Connell
Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW
Professor Phyllis Butow
School of Psychology, University of Sydney
Professor Bruce Armstrong
Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney
Professor Carla Treloar
National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales
Mr Anthony Dillon
School of Indigenous Health Studies, University of Sydney
Dr. Christy Newman
National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales
Mr. Rajah Supramaniam
Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW
Cancer Research Division Team
Jennifer Rodger
Project Coordinator
Veronica Saunders
Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Alison Gibberd
Data Analyst
Kristie Weir
Senior Research Assistant
Joanna Jarrald
Communications Coordinator
Aims of the APOCC project
This project aims to explore the reasons for the increased death rate from cancer for Aboriginal people in NSW. Is it due to: later diagnosis of cancer, different treatments received, or a combination of both?
The aims of this project are to:
- Determine whether Aboriginal people are being diagnosed with cancer at later stages;
- Describe any barriers to Aboriginal people being diagnosed earlier and accessing cancer care;
- Describe the care that Aboriginal people with cancer are currently receiving; and
- Compare the level and types of care with that received by non-Aboriginal people.
Phases of the APOCC project
The APOCC Project consists of 5 phases:
- An analysis of a linked dataset of cancers and hospital treatment records
- Qualitative Interviews with Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal people with cancer and carers for Aboriginal people with cancer about perceptions of cancer diagnosis and care
- A Patterns of Care study examining treatment received for Aboriginal people with cancer
- A Pathways to Diagnosis study examining the barriers to timely cancer diagnosis for Aboriginal people with cancer
- A dissemination phase to ensure that the results of the project reach all stakeholders
JOIN THE APOCC PATHWAYS TO DIAGNOSIS STUDY! Click here for more details
APOCC news
Qualitative data collection was completed at the end of January 2011. Analysis or this rich dataset is complete and journal articles are in the final stages of production.
Our Patterns of Care study has collected medical treatment data from NSW public hospitals. Analysis of these data has commenced and results are scheduled for dissemination in 2012.
The Pathways to Diagnosis study started in 2011 and will describe the barriers to the timely diagnosis of cancer for Aboriginal people in NSW. Extensive work has been done on developing a culturally appropriate questionnaire using combined expertise of investigators, research staff and an external consultant.
A very productive workshop was held at the Cancer Council in November 2010 to begin developing a strategy for disseminating results from the APOCC project. We aim to impact on policy, access to cancer services, diagnosis pathways and cancer awareness for health workers, communities and individuals. This is the first step in creating a dissemination strategy aimed at reducing the impact of cancer on Aboriginal people.
Read the latest APOCC newsletter here.
Contact us
For further information, please contact us at apocc@nswcc.org.au or call us on 1800 1800 247 029.
