Ensuring equitable and inclusive cancer care for immigrant communities

With the growing influence of globalization over the past 2 decades, the demographic composition of many nations has become increasingly diverse. Recent data indicate that one-third of Australia’s population is foreign-born, whereas immigrants comprise approximately 23% of Canada’s population. As a result, this shift presents a significant challenge for healthcare professionals, particularly oncology nurses, in ensuring equity and inclusivity in providing cancer care, a life- threatening disease that represents the leading cause of death in most countries. A body of literature demonstrated that immigrant cancer patients are often an underserved group throughout the cancer continuum because they often face unique challenges when navigating cancer care. It has been recognized that their experiences are shaped by linguistic, cultural, socioeconomic, and systemic factors that influence access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and overall care. Understanding these challenges is crucial for developing more inclusive and equitable health-care systems.