The unmet supportive care needs of Arab people affected by cancer : (The SNAP Study)

Abstract

Background: Cancer survivors, their partners, family members and significant others may experience unmet needs over the survivorship continuum. Defined as 'problems that remain outstanding after standard care,' unmet needs negatively impact on the quality of life of people affected by cancer and increase psychological morbidity. Minority groups, including migrants, have been reported to experience significantly higher unmet needs than majority populations. In Australia, migrants with cancer report poorer quality of life and higher levels of depression than Anglo-Australian cancer survivors. They are less likely to participate in cancer screening resulting in delayed diagnosis and are less likely to access appropriate treatment. While difficulties in understanding the English language and navigating the Australian healthcare system in part help to explain these disparities, cultural beliefs often result in additional barriers to accessing care and subsequent support. This is particularly so in people with cancer from Arabic-speaking backgrounds who report higher levels of depression and worse quality of life than other immigrant groups. The Australian population includes a large number of Arab people who come from a diverse range of countries and this number is increasing, yet health service research of this ethnic group is limited. The aims of this research were to explore the unmet supportive care needs of Australian Arab people affected by cancer (cancer survivors and their family caregivers) and to compare their needs with Arab people living in Jordan where language is not considered a barrier to accessing care.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English