Background
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) women experience higher cervical cancer incidence rates than non-Indigenous women (19.5 vs 8.7 new 100 000).1 This disparity is driven by healthcare access barriers, socio-economic challenges, and cultural factors that hinder timely diagnosis and treatment2. Standard care requires radiation therapy (RT) within 50 days for optimal cure rates, yet multifactorial barriers often prevent ATSI women from accessing appropriate, timely care.3
Methods
This case study examines the treatment journey of an ATSI women from rural Western NSW undergoing definitive RT for locally advanced cervical cancer. Data were collected through medical records, multidisciplinary team documentation, and interviews with the patient and care team. Analysis focussed on identifying intervention points, stakeholder roles and outcomes contributing to successful treatment completion with optimal time frames
Impact on practice
The successful treatment pathway directly informed development of a culturally responsive gynaecological radiation oncology framework. This framework has since demonstrated improved treatment compliance and engagement among Aboriginal patients, with key components including early barrier identification, proactive cultural liaison support, flexible scheduling arrangements, and shared decision-making approaches respecting cultural values and family obligations.
Discussion
This case demonstrates how culturally responsive, collaborative care models can overcome barriers to cancer treatment for Aboriginal women. The comprehensive, patient-centred treatment pathway involved active collaboration between our rural local health district services and broader metropolitan oncology partners. This single case highlights the significant potential for systemic change when healthcare services adopt culturally informed, collaborative approaches, though broader implementation studies are needed to validate these findings across diverse Aboriginal communities and healthcare settings.