Clare O'Callaghan1,2,3, Penelope Schofield1,4,5, Phyllis Butow6,7, Linda Nolte8, Melanie Price6,7, Spiri Tsintziras8, Ming Sze6,7, Thida Thein6, Dorothy Yiu9, Shab Mireskandari6, David Goldstein10,11, Michael Jefford12,13,14. 1. Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia. 2. Palliative Care Service, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia. 3. Caritas Christi Hospice, St Vincent's Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Department of Psychology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 5. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 6. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 7. School of Psychology, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 8. Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre-a Richard Pratt legacy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 9. Chinese Cancer Society of Victoria, Box Hill, VIC, Australia. 10. Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 11. Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 12. Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia. michael.jefford@petermac.org. 13. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. michael.jefford@petermac.org. 14. Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre-a Richard Pratt legacy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. michael.jefford@petermac.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immigrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds diagnosed with cancer face multiple challenges with health systems foreign to them. There is scarce understanding about their needs following cancer treatment in the survivorship phase. Unmet needs were examined in immigrant Chinese and Greek cancer survivors in order to assist development of relevant and useful information resources for these CALD groups. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive design was used. Adult cancer survivors, whose native language was Mandarin, Cantonese or Greek, were recruited through ethnic cancer support groups and cancer specialists in two Australian cities. Six focus groups were conducted, two in each native language group. Recorded responses were transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine CALD cancer survivors participated from Greek (11), Cantonese (14) and Mandarin (14) backgrounds. Thematic findings included as follows: ongoing cancer-related stressors, cancer misunderstandings, coping strategies, 'survivor' seldom reflects self-appraisal, and additional CALD survivorship information needed. Immigrant cancer survivors may prefer 'recovery' to 'survivorship' descriptors and need information similar to Caucasian cancer survivors alongside as follows: resources for navigating health care, financial and community entitlements; caregiver-directed information to enhance their support; explanations about differences in health care approaches between survivors' original and adopted countries; and acknowledgment of survivorship diversity within CALD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant cancer survivors' additional requirements to native survivors likely reflect challenges in dealing with foreign environments and varied levels of acculturation within group members. Identification of immigrant cancer survivorship issues may support development of targeted resources for promoting survivors' self-care and capacity for finding, choosing, and using existing support options.
BACKGROUND: Immigrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds diagnosed with cancer face multiple challenges with health systems foreign to them. There is scarce understanding about their needs following cancer treatment in the survivorship phase. Unmet needs were examined in immigrant Chinese and Greek cancer survivors in order to assist development of relevant and useful information resources for these CALD groups. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive design was used. Adult cancer survivors, whose native language was Mandarin, Cantonese or Greek, were recruited through ethnic cancer support groups and cancer specialists in two Australian cities. Six focus groups were conducted, two in each native language group. Recorded responses were transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine CALD cancer survivors participated from Greek (11), Cantonese (14) and Mandarin (14) backgrounds. Thematic findings included as follows: ongoing cancer-related stressors, cancer misunderstandings, coping strategies, 'survivor' seldom reflects self-appraisal, and additional CALD survivorship information needed. Immigrant cancer survivors may prefer 'recovery' to 'survivorship' descriptors and need information similar to Caucasian cancer survivors alongside as follows: resources for navigating health care, financial and community entitlements; caregiver-directed information to enhance their support; explanations about differences in health care approaches between survivors' original and adopted countries; and acknowledgment of survivorship diversity within CALD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant cancer survivors' additional requirements to native survivors likely reflect challenges in dealing with foreign environments and varied levels of acculturation within group members. Identification of immigrant cancer survivorship issues may support development of targeted resources for promoting survivors' self-care and capacity for finding, choosing, and using existing support options.
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