Does breast cancer policy meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia? a review

Abstract

Objective To evaluate if existing Australian public policy related to screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow up care for breast cancer addresses the needs of and outcomes for Indigenous1 women? Methods This review of policy employed a modified Delphi method via an online panel of experts (n = 13), who were purposively recruited according to experience and expertise. A series of online meetings and online surveys were used for data collection. The aims of the study were to: Identify all existing and current breast cancer policy in Australia; Analyse the extent to which consideration of Indigenous peoples is included in the development, design and implementation of the policy; and Identify policy gaps and make recommendations as to how they could be addressed. The policies were evaluated using ‘A Guide to Evaluation under the Indigenous Evaluation Strategy, 2020’. Results A list of current breast cancer policies (n = 7) was agreed and analysed. Five draft recommendations to improve breast cancer outcomes for Indigenous women were developed and refined by the panel. Conclusions Current breast cancer policy in Australia does not address the needs of Indigenous women and requires change to improve outcomes.