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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Nicole Kang, Chronic Diseases, Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, 450 Sutter Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94108, 4155683311, nkang@apiahf.org

This abstract assesses challenges faced by Pacific Islander communities in accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate cancer treatment and support services, and patient advocacy.

During the first year of a pilot project funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) worked with Guam Communications Network, Samoan National Nurses Association, and Taulama for Tongans to conduct in-language focus groups with Chamorro, Samoan, and Tongan cancer survivors and/or patients. Through the focus groups, qualitative information about cancer survivorship, availability of cancer resources, and cancer support needs that impact the community has been compiled into a summary.

Five focus groups were conducted with Chamorro, Samoan, and Tongan cancer survivors and/or patients. To obtain qualitative information about cancer survivorship specific to the communities, the partner agencies worked with APIAHF to develop a focus group protocol that was culturally appropriate and relevant to the Pacific Islander cancer survivors.

The following themes emerged:

-Lack of healthcare facilities and providers that provide culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare, and advocates who lobby for and develop relevant and culturally appropriate programs.

-Cultural and linguistic barriers that discourage individuals from discussing their prognosis and seeking timely and appropriate care.

Participants recommended: Increased access to low-cost services and resources, programs addressing financial barriers for care, and provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate cancer related resources and services through Pacific Islander specific cancer support groups in the US; and better coordination of cancer resources, such as advocacy for other services related to cancer support.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate barriers that various Pacific Islander communities face in accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate cancer services
• Identify the impact of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources and cancer support groups for Pacific Islanders
• Discuss recommendations for health care providers to improve cancer care to Pacific Islander cancer patients.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation