A new research project aimed at improving cancer-related health messaging for Aboriginal people has been awarded funding as part of an initiative to support local cancer research in Western Australia.
The project, titled “Getting it right: Improving cancer education and health messaging for Aboriginal people”, is one of 12 projects selected through a joint initiative by Cancer Council WA and the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, supported by the Western Australian government.
Led by researchers from the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) at the University of Western Australia, the two-year study has been awarded $140,000 to explore how Aboriginal people perceive and respond to cancer-related health information - particularly around prevention, early diagnosis, and lifestyle factors such as physical activity, nutrition, and smoking cessation.
Aboriginal Australians continue to experience disproportionately higher rates of cancer and poorer outcomes compared to the broader population. Increasing awareness, encouraging participation in screening, and promoting early help-seeking behaviours are critical to improving these outcomes.
Chief Investigator Emma Taylor, from UWA's School of Health and Clinical Sciences and WACRH, said that while resources and public education campaigns targeting Aboriginal people have been developed, few have been evaluated for their effectiveness.
“Improving outcomes for Aboriginal people with cancer starts with effective, culturally appropriate education and messaging. This project will help us understand what works, what doesn’t, and how we can better support Aboriginal communities in making informed health decisions,” Ms Taylor said.
The research team includes four First Nations investigators and will be guided by an Aboriginal Advisory Group to ensure culturally safety. The study will involve interviews and focus groups with Aboriginal community members, health professionals, and policy makers to assess the impact of past campaigns and inform future messaging.
Next steps include engaging with communities, health organisations and research partners to begin the co-design process.
This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of what makes cancer education messaging effective for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.