"I'm a Survivor": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Survivors' Perspectives of Cancer Survivorship.

Meiklejohn, JA; Bailie, R; Adams, J; Garvey, G; Bernardes, CM; Williamson, D; Marcusson, B; Arley, B; Martin, JH; Walpole, ET; Valery, PC

"I'm a Survivor": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Survivors' Perspectives of Cancer Survivorship.

Meiklejohn, JA Bailie, R Adams, J

Garvey, G Bernardes, CM Williamson, D Marcusson, B Arley, B Martin, JH Walpole, ET Valery, PC

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Publisher:: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Cancer Nursing, 2020, 43, (2), pp. 105-114
Issue Date:: 2020

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Meiklejohn, JA
dc.contributor.author	Bailie, R
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717
dc.contributor.author	Garvey, G
dc.contributor.author	Bernardes, CM
dc.contributor.author	Williamson, D
dc.contributor.author	Marcusson, B
dc.contributor.author	Arley, B
dc.contributor.author	Martin, JH
dc.contributor.author	Walpole, ET
dc.contributor.author	Valery, PC
dc.date.accessioned	2020-07-23T06:33:43Z
dc.date.available	2020-07-23T06:33:43Z
dc.date.issued	2020
dc.identifier.citation	Cancer Nursing, 2020, 43, (2), pp. 105-114
dc.identifier.issn	0162-220X
dc.identifier.issn	1538-9804
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/141847
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND:Disparity in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people after cancer diagnosis is multifactorial, including lower cancer screening participation, later diagnosis, reduced access and uptake of cancer treatment, higher rate of comorbidities, and barriers accessing the health system. Little is known about cancer survivorship experiences. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to explore Indigenous Australian cancer survivor's perspectives of cancer survivorship. METHODS:Indigenous people who completed cancer treatment 6 months to 5 years before fieldwork were recruited from a tertiary hospital and remote primary health service for this qualitative study. Data collection was guided by yarning methods, a culturally appropriate method emphasizing storytelling. Data were interpreted using a social constructionist framework. RESULTS:Thirteen women and 6 men were interviewed. Participants' past experiences contributed to their specific identity as survivors. Participants described factors affecting a positive transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor and the importance of ongoing family support in helping to manage survivorship. Finally, participants described a range of community support they received and provided to others and how this improved their cancer survivorship. CONCLUSION:Although a range of experiences are presented, this study provides evidence that the survivorship perspectives of Indigenous cancer survivors may be, in part, shared by non-Indigenous cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Acknowledging Indigenous cancer survivors' past experiences and how these influence their overall well-being is important for providing patient-centered and culturally appropriate care. Nurses and other healthcare professionals may use this knowledge to foster a range of coping strategies to assist Indigenous cancer survivors to live well.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT140100195
dc.relation.ispartof	Cancer Nursing
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1097/ncc.0000000000000671
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing, 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.title	"I'm a Survivor": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Survivors' Perspectives of Cancer Survivorship.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	43
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2020-07-23T06:33:40Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	43
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Disparity in outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people after cancer diagnosis is multifactorial, including lower cancer screening participation, later diagnosis, reduced access and uptake of cancer treatment, higher rate of comorbidities, and barriers accessing the health system. Little is known about cancer survivorship experiences. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to explore Indigenous Australian cancer survivor's perspectives of cancer survivorship. METHODS:Indigenous people who completed cancer treatment 6 months to 5 years before fieldwork were recruited from a tertiary hospital and remote primary health service for this qualitative study. Data collection was guided by yarning methods, a culturally appropriate method emphasizing storytelling. Data were interpreted using a social constructionist framework. RESULTS:Thirteen women and 6 men were interviewed. Participants' past experiences contributed to their specific identity as survivors. Participants described factors affecting a positive transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor and the importance of ongoing family support in helping to manage survivorship. Finally, participants described a range of community support they received and provided to others and how this improved their cancer survivorship. CONCLUSION:Although a range of experiences are presented, this study provides evidence that the survivorship perspectives of Indigenous cancer survivors may be, in part, shared by non-Indigenous cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Acknowledging Indigenous cancer survivors' past experiences and how these influence their overall well-being is important for providing patient-centered and culturally appropriate care. Nurses and other healthcare professionals may use this knowledge to foster a range of coping strategies to assist Indigenous cancer survivors to live well.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/141847