Support for Aboriginal people with cancer

Being able to provide a culturally safe and sensitive health service to Aboriginal people following a diagnosis of cancer and throughout treatment is incredibly important in improving health care and reducing barriers in what is a time of high anxiety for the patient, their families and their friends.

The Aboriginal Cancer Nurse Coordination Service is a free statewide service aimed at supporting you and your family through diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a cancer can be a time of high anxiety as a number of investigations may be required before a diagnosis is confirmed.

These investigations may include:

• blood tests
• x-ray
• ultrasound
• CT scan
• PET scan
• MRI scan
• biopsy or sample of fluid

The results of your tests will be explained to you and your family by cancer specialist services, which can include surgical and cancer teams.

The type of treatment will depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Cancers may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy treatment.

These treatments may be alone or in combination which would involve seeing several specialists in a variety of settings. Please see our specific cancer webpages for more detailed information.

Helping you along your cancer journey

Through the Aboriginal Cancer Nurse Coordination Service, an Aboriginal Cancer Nurse Coordinator will provide a shared-care approach to assessing your needs and assist in coordinating your cancer care in a culturally sensitive and safe way.

The service will be a point of contact should you require further information or support with cancer in the future.

The Aboriginal Cancer Nurse Coordinator can:

• deliver a culturally safe and sensitive service
• improve communication and identify barriers
• assist with coordinating appointments
• liaise and link with other services both within your treating hospital and the wider community
• yarn with you and provide information relating to your cancer
• assist you and your family through the varying treating departments
• coordinate your care to ensure timeliness of appointments and treatment
• refer you to other health care professionals where and when, for example psychosocial services, physiotherapy and social work.

Other useful contacts

Derbarl Yerrigan Aboriginal Health Service
Wangkiny Moorditch Nyin - Cancer Support Group
Tel: 1300 420 272
Connect with others in a confidential and supportive setting, a safe place to heal.

St Patrick’s Community Support Centre
Tel: (08) 6372 4800
Aboriginal Support Services

Cancer Council WA
Tel: 13 11 20
Provides counselling, complementary therapies, support groups and programs, advice, information and resources.

WA Psycho-Oncology Service
Tel: (08) 6457 1177
A clinical psychology service that offers a confidential, free counselling service to patients living with cancer.

SolarisCare
Tel: (08) 6383 3475
Provides counselling and complementary therapies for cancer patients and their families.

Country Patient Health Support (PatHS)
Tel: 0448 717 251
A patient journey coordination and support service for vulnerable people and their supports travelling to Perth from the country regions.

Useful websites

Derbarl Yerrigan Aboriginal Health Service
Web: www.dyhs.org.au

Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation Country to City
Web: www.mkac.org.au

Men’s Health and Wellbeing WA: The Moorditj Marmun Book and App
A directory of services available for Aboriginal men across a broad range of health and wellbeing areas including crisis services.
Web: menshealthwa.org.au/mooditj-marmun-book-and-app

Cancer Council WA
Web: www.cancerwa.asn.au

Cancer Institute NSW
Web: www.cancerinstitute.org.au