Multicultural Program Update

Welcome to the first edition of the Cancer Institute NSW’s Multicultural Program Update for 2025.

Our e-newsletter shares the latest insights on cancer prevention, screening, care and research that matter to multicultural communities across NSW.  

Please share this update with your colleagues and community members – and encourage them to join our mailing list – it’s a great way to keep everyone informed.  Reach out to our multicultural team to sign up.

Looking for past editions? You can find them on the Institute’s website.

We’d also love to hear from you. If there's something you'd like to learn more about or if you have feedback, please get in touch with us.

In exciting news to start the year, the hugely successful Refugee Cancer Screening Partnership Project was recognised as a finalist at the Premier’s Awards 2024.

We were nominated among some incredible projects from across the state’s public sector. We are proud of the positive impact we have made through this project and would like to extend our sincere thanks to our partners for their support and collaboration:

-          Settlement Council of Australia,

-          Illawarra Multicultural Services,

-          Mosaic Multicultural Connections,

-          Metro Assist Inc,

-          NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors,

-          NSW Refugee Health Service,

-          and Western Sydney University.

This project was supported by the 2021-22 to 2022-23 Refugee Health Flexible Fund. We greatly appreciate their ongoing commitment and partnership.

The Institute recently delivered highly engaging online train-the-trainer education sessions to Bilingual Community Educators and Health Workers across NSW. They focused on the national screening programs for breast, bowel and cervical cancer, as well as healthy living to prevent cancer.

These sessions were not only well-attended but also received overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the valuable impact and enthusiasm from participants. Equipped with new knowledge, participants will now share their learnings with their communities.

World Cancer Day – 4^th February

We celebrated World Cancer Day on 4 February and saw it bring both local and global communities together to raise awareness and take action to lessen the burden of cancer.

At the Institute, we are working to reduce the impact of cancer, particularly in multicultural communities. As the leading agency for cancer control in NSW, we focus on cancer prevention, early detection through screening, and improving care for all, ensuring no one is left behind.

This year’s World Cancer Day theme, "United by Unique," places individuals at the centre of care, recognising that cancer is not just a medical condition but a profoundly personal journey. Every person’s experience with cancer is different, and it is essential to listen to and honour their stories throughout the conversation.

In many multicultural communities, cancer awareness and access to screening may be limited. This World Cancer Day, we emphasised the importance of culturally sensitive education on cancer prevention and screening programs. Early detection through regular screening can significantly improve outcomes, but we know that language barriers, cultural differences and a lack of awareness can prevent some from seeking help. That’s why we work closely with multicultural communities to provide information in various languages and ensure services are accessible to all.

We also focus on improving care for those affected by cancer, ensuring treatments and support services are inclusive and culturally appropriate. Everyone deserves the best care, regardless of their background. We work towards increasing participation of individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in cancer studies so that research findings are more representative and beneficial to all, ensuring everyone has access to the best possible care and support. On the Institute’s website, you can access in-language information about cancer.

Improving access to cancer clinical trials for multicultural communities

Did you know that people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are often under-represented in cancer clinical trials? This means it’s crucial for health services and clinical trial units to be better equipped to welcome CALD participants and ensure they have equal access to these vital trials.

To address this gap, Cancer Institute NSW hosted a webinar focused on improving access to clinical trials for CALD communities. Topics included

• How to effectively engage healthcare interpreters in cancer clinical trials
• Valuable insights from the NSW clinical trials workforce and NSW Healthcare Interpreter Services (HCIS)
• A collaborative practice model used in Western Sydney Local Health District, which has led to a remarkable four-fold increase in HCIS bookings and boosted clinical trial enrolments.

If you would like to find out more information, get in touch with the Institute’s multicultural team. 

Impact of the Multicultural Community Education Grants (MCEG) program

The Institute’s MCEG program is a driving force in bridging health gaps for multicultural communities across NSW. With six successful rounds to date, it has supported 45 projects through 26 dynamic organisations, all aimed at raising awareness around bowel, breast and cervical screening, and healthy living.

What makes this program unique? The MCEG program empowers Multicultural Health and community organisations to deliver tailored, in-language education using multilingual Cancer Institute NSW flipcharts. This ensures vital health information reaches those who face barriers in accessing traditional healthcare resources. By upskilling local staff, the program not only makes health education more accessible but also fosters a deeper understanding of cancer prevention and healthy living in culturally diverse communities.

A pathway to empowerment: Grantee organisations are provided with “train the trainer” sessions to boost the confidence and knowledge of their staff. More than 200 staff members—including bilingual community educators, health professionals, and settlement services workers—have participated to date, enhancing their ability to deliver impactful, culturally sensitive education.

A ripple effect of positive change: The program has reached thousands of community members from various backgrounds, helping shift perceptions and encouraging greater participation in screening and healthy living initiatives. In the 2022 round alone, it facilitated:

-          15 projects

-          204 community education sessions

-          More than 3,600 individuals from over 30 different cultural groups engaged

-          80 physical activity sessions with more than 1,400 attendees

Building stronger networks for health: One of the program’s greatest strengths is the collaborative spirit it fosters. More than 80 community-based organisations have partnered with grantees to support these initiatives. These local organisations are instrumental in connecting with their communities, offering venues and helping deliver key education where it’s needed most.

Impact that lasts: Post-session surveys show a significant increase in both knowledge and intended behaviour change among participants, demonstrating the effectiveness of these tailored education efforts.

In 2025, we’re excited to announce six new multicultural community education grants, continuing the momentum towards improving health equity across NSW. Read more about the grants.

As we reflect on these remarkable achievements, we are reminded that when we work together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of diverse communities.

Let's continue to collaborate, empower, and transform lives through education and awareness.

Global Conference on Migration and Health Equity

In January, we participated in the Global Conference on Migration & Health Equity in Parramatta. The event gathered experts, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the health challenges faced by migrant populations and explore solutions to address health disparities.

It underscored the importance of working together across borders and sectors to ensure equitable healthcare for all. Key topics included:

·       Migrant health during pandemics, focusing on the increased risks migrants face due to language and cultural barriers. Discussions also addressed the lack of inclusion in scientific research and pandemic response strategies, urging for more equitable health policies.

·       Global health leadership, with an emphasis on international collaboration to better address migrant health within global health agendas.

·       Significance of cultural capital, stressing the need for culturally sensitive settlement services to enhance health literacy.

·       Migration’s connection to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly health and inequality reduction.

·       Cancer prevention in migrant communities, with concerns over low participation in screenings particularly among non-English speakers.

Multilingual Resources

Cancer Institute NSW translated cancer resources for multicultural communities

This webpage brings all of the Institute’s multilingual resources together in one place. Here you can access information and resources in 43 languages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and clinical trials. It also includes resources from the Australian Government.

New Multilingual Resources 

Join us in promoting new cervical screening resources for multicultural women, we would greatly appreciate your support in sharing these across your channels.

Key details:

In partnership with consumers, Cancer Institute NSW has developed a new suite of online resources to improve cervical screening awareness and access for women from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The cervical screening resources for multicultural women include information about the Cervical Screening Test self-collection option, which is just as effective at detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) as a sample collected by a health professional.

It has been translated into multiple languages including Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese (simplified/Mandarin), Chinese (Traditional/Cantonese), Khmer, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Thai and Vietnamese.

Please share this with your networks.

BreastScreen NSW launches new in-language pages

We are thrilled to announce a significant step forward in accessibility and support for women from diverse cultural backgrounds, the launch of BreastScreen NSW webpages in 27 languages.

This initiative aims to ensure all women, regardless of their English proficiency, can easily access essential information about breast screening, empowering them to take charge of their health.

Access the translated pages via the BreastScreen NSW website. It provides comprehensive information at your fingertips about:

·       When to Screen: Understanding the right time to undergo breast screening is crucial for early detection and peace of mind. 

·       How to Book an Appointment: Clear guidance on how to schedule a breast screening appointment, including the use of the Translating and Interpreting Service (13 14 50) for those who need assistance in their preferred language.

·       What to Expect: We outline what to wear, bring, and expect during the appointment, helping alleviate any anxiety associated with the screening process.

·       In-Language Resources: Links to additional resources in various languages are included to further support women in their breast health journey.

Languages available include Arabic, Assyrian, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Croatian, Dari, Dinka, English, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Macedonian, Polish, Serbian, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Tibetan, and Vietnamese.

Upcoming Events

We’re excited to offer an in-person training workshop aimed at introducing NSW Quitline services and educating staff on interventions related to vaping, smoking, and shisha. This workshop will also include a refresher on key cancer screening program updates and changes, addressing identified challenges and barriers that BCEs/CSWs face when facilitating community education sessions, as well as offering peer support.

Date:
8 April 2025

Venue:
Level 1, 1 Reserve Rd, St Leonards.

With limited capacity remaining, be sure to enquire soon!

The inaugural NSW Cancer Summit 2025 will be held at the ICC Sydney on 13 and 14 August 2025 and will unite leading minds to help shape the future of cancer prevention, treatment and care.

From cutting-edge laboratory research and groundbreaking innovations to prevention strategies, treatment advancements and holistic care approaches, the Summit will spotlight NSW’s world-leading efforts to support people impacted by cancer.

The Summit is expected to attract over 500 delegates from a broad cross section of the academic and health sectors who are involved in cancer research and patient care. This includes cancer researchers, clinicians, nursing and allied health professionals, consumers, those with a lived experience of cancer, government representatives, leaders from non-government organisations and private industry.

Visit the Cancer Institute NSW website for more details.

News from BreastScreen NSW Liverpool clinic:

To support Arabic speaking women in Southwestern Sydney at their BreastScreen appointment, we are offering female Arabic interpreters in-person at our Liverpool clinic. They will be available from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm on:

Wednesday, 2 April - 15 appointments available

Wednesday, 7 May  - 16 appointments available

To book an Arabic interpreter, call TIS on 13 14 50.

New publications and reports

New publications and reports

1. Scanlon B, Durham J, Wyld D, Roberts N, Toloo GS. Exploring equity in cancer treatment, survivorship, and service utilisation for culturally and linguistically diverse migrant populations living in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective cohort study. Int J Equity Health. 2023;22(1):175.
2. O’Callaghan, C., Dharmagesan, G., Roy, J., Dharmagesan, V., Loukas, P., & Harris-Roxas, B. (2021). Enhancing equitable access to cancer information for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to complement beliefs about cancer prognosis and treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(5957–5965).
3. McEntee A, Hines S, Trigg J, Fairweather K, Guillaumier A, Fischer J, Bonevski B, Smith JA, Wilson C, and Bowden J. Tobacco cessation and screening in culturally and linguistically diverse communities: an Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute for Cancer Council NSW, 2022.
4. Cheng, E., Stubbs, J. M., & Achat, H. M. (2024). Self-collection for HPV-based cervical screening: Knowledge and attitudes of Australian health care workers in an area with low screening rates, July–November 2023. Public Health Reports, 12, 00333549241299272.

Clinical trials 

Lazzarini S, Thijs K, Scott N, et al. Culturally sensitive strategies to increase participation of CALD populations in Australian cancer clinical trials. Cancer Epidemiol. 2021;70:101813.

Cancer treatment

1. Scanlon, B., Brough, M., Wyld, D., & Durham, J. (2021). Equity across the cancer care continuum for culturally and linguistically diverse migrants living in Australia: A scoping review. Globalization and Health, 17, 87.
2. Kasherman, L., Yoon, W.-H., Tan, S. Y. (C.), Malalasekera, A., Shaw, J., & Vardy, J. (2024). Cancer survivorship programs for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds: A scoping review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 18, 2052–2077.

We encourage you to share the e-news with interested colleagues and community; they can also sign up to the mailing list by emailing the multicultural team. You can also find past editions here.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which the Cancer Institute NSW offices reside on, the Cammeraygal (Gammaraygal) people. 

We pay our respect to these Elders past and present. We also acknowledge the strength and identity of all Aboriginal people.

If you received this email and wish to unsubscribe please email  CINSW-Multicultural@health.nsw.gov.au.