CQUni shares relevant research on World Cancer Day
Published on 06 February, 2013
CQUniversity's Professor Sonj Hall was invited by the Office of Indigenous Engagement to provide a research seminar focusing on cancer care. The event held on February 4 coincided with World Cancer Day.
In introducing the event, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement said that "we all know someone who has had cancer, we have felt the loss from someone passing away with cancer or we may have even had cancer ourselves; cancer as a disease doesn't discriminate".
Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Sonj Hall at the seminar
Professor Hall's research focuses on cancer care and disparities in diagnosis, treatment services and life expectancy.
She argues that surgical procedures for cancer have received almost no research attention, although differences have been seen between Indigenous patients and other patients in use of hospital procedures, including those for all cancers combined. Furthermore, living in a rural area in Australia has been shown to affect cancer treatment patterns, and has different patient outcomes.
Professor Hall explained that cancer is potentially the most preventable and treatable disease in existence.
"As they say we have the technology! And most of it isn't either sophisticated or expensive yet we find some of society's most vulnerable groups miss out on simple care such as screening," she said.
In her presentation, Professor Hall explored the evidence of cancer care and the factors that affect that care from an Australian and international perspective, including the care of Indigenous peoples.
She discussed the way in which cancers present in different populations depending on geographic locality, age, gender, race and cultural backgrounds.
"What was inspiring was hearing about the gains made in some areas of cancer care and survival and the hope for the future," Professor Fredericks said.
Participants included Jenni-Lee Rees, Director of Speech Pathology, Qld Health and Joan Smith, Medicare Local 
Professors Sonj Hall and Brian Maguire at the seminar