Cancer Survival in Indigenous women

Cancer Survival in Indigenous women

Introduction

For the early finding of breast and cervical cancer, a substantial investment has been made by Australia, over the last decade, for controlling breast and cervical cancer, NCSP- National Cervical Screening Program and Breast Screen Australia. Enhanced survival time from breast cancer and decline in rate of mortality from cervical cancer have been accredited generally to the achievement of the programs initiated for the early detection of these cancers. On the other hand, these dropping in mortality are not revealed in the statistics for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal women.

Owing to variations in the population's age structures primarily, there are lesser rates of crude incidence for breast cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women proportionate to non-Aboriginal women. But, lower survival rates have been reported in breast cancer's affected Indigenous women

. (Condon et. al., 2005) In Indigenous women, the rates of incidence and mortality accounted for cervical cancer are considerably exceeding those reported generally for Australian women. It is, therefore, very much necessary that poorer effects in Indigenous women from cervical and breast cancer should be taken in to consideration.

In Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal women, breast and cervical cancer is a health issue that has generally been accredited to lack of participation in approaches intended for earlier diagnosis. Other than lesser input in programs for early detection, lack of accessibility to proper services and decreased possibility of getting and completion of treatment are the major causes. (School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 2002) In the early diagnosis and management of cervical and breast cancer, GPs have been recognized as significant key health care providers in the Australian population and could be a significant factor in interventions to lessen mortality in indigenous Australians.

Discussion & Analysis

Literature Review

Cancer is a dangerous disease. It could turn out to be fatal and over the years, the very term cancer has been associated with immense fear and concern for people all over the world. Statistics have revealed that cancer is the most common cause of fatalities all over the world and accounted for about 7.6 million deaths in the year 2008. (Globocan, 2008).

The major reason for the spread of cancer is said to be the usage of tobacco, alcoholism, insufficient and poor dietary intake, and lack of physical activity. It has also been estimated that more than 30 percent of deaths caused by cancer can be prevented, but lack of awareness and lifestyle factors contribute to the rapid death rate because of the said disease. The rate is quite alarming because approximations show that by the year 2030, death rates would increase to over 11 million (Globocan 2008).

In women worldwide, breast cancer is the cancer that is most diagnosed cancer, both before and after the menopause. During her lifetime, one in a nine women is likely to develop breast cancer while among 27 women, one will die.

In most cases, after age 50, breast cancer takes place. Depending on the age and type of cancer, after diagnosis, the survival rate 5 years ...