Exceptional cancer care should never depend on where you live, your cultural background, or your circumstances. That's why the VCCC Alliance is pleased to announce a groundbreaking initiative that will reshape how we deliver safe, accessible, and culturally-responsive cancer care across Victoria.
Following a competitive selection process which reviewed more than 10 applications, the VCCC Alliance has chosen an innovative project to be funded through our Advancing Cancer Equity fund.
Despite Australia's progress in reducing cervical cancer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women still get cervical cancer at much higher rates and are more likely to die from it than other Australian women.
These differences aren't by chance. They're caused by barriers that are linked together: where women live, cultural factors, and how health services are organised. Several organisations are working together on this project - the University of Melbourne, the Royal Women's Hospital, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service, and the Australian National University. They're committed to making real change happen.
The project has three main goals:
Professor Julia Brotherton, Professorial Fellow, Cancer Prevention Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, said the partnership was excited to receive funding to support their research.
“Our research is designed to document, understand and, where necessary, develop best practices in models of care for Aboriginal Victorians who require follow up of abnormal cervical screening results,” she said.
Professor Brotherton emphasises the collaborative nature of this work.
“We know the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector knows how best to support their communities in accessing culturally safe care, so this project works hand- in-hand with partners in the sector.”
The objective, she said, is to understand how ACCHOs and specialist services currently work together.
“We want to take these learnings and share them so that more effective and acceptable models of care can be provided to more people.”
Professor Brotherton said a key strength of this project is its commitment to developing the next generation of Indigenous researchers, such as Kristy Meiselbach.
“We are particularly delighted that this grant will support Kristy to develop her skills and expertise further as an outstanding emerging Indigenous research leader.”
Ms Meiselbach is a Gunditjmara woman who grew up in rural Victoria on Taungurung Country with her parents and three siblings. She will work on the project as part of her PhD at Melbourne University. "This project aims to shine a spotlight on the hard work, strengths, and successes already occurring within ACCHOs," Kristy said.
“It highlights how communities and services are creating culturally responsive pathways that support women and their communities throughout their care journey.”
The aim is draw up a blueprint for equitable, timely, and culturally responsive cervical cancer care that can be applied across Victoria – and potentially beyond. By gathering and acting upon the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, this research will help ensure that no one is left behind in Australia's journey toward cervical cancer elimination.
Read more about Kristy here: Emerging Indigenous researcher leads push for culturally safe cervical cancer care
