Achieving equity in cancer screening for First Nations peoples

Funded by the NHMRC, this project aims to develop and implement sustainable and scalable cancer screening programs in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (hereafter respectfully referred to as First Nations). This project offers flexibility, allowing students to select specific components or methodological issues to concentrate on. It includes options for conducting quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research and data collection.

Cancer is a pressing public health concern, with documented disparities between First Nations and other Australians. First Nations people experience 1.4 times higher cancer mortality rates and lower 5-year survival rates (54% vs. 68%). These disparities are partly due to lower participation in cancer screening programs.

Effective prevention and early diagnosis are crucial for long-term survival and reduced mortality. However, current cancer screening programs are not adequately accessible for First Nations peoples. Addressing these disparities requires targeted, multidisciplinary approaches and investments in cancer screening that are equitable, sustainable, and culturally sensitive. This project aims to co-design programs with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to enhance access and increase participation in cancer screening. By increasing participation, we aim to ultimately improve cancer survival rates, initially focusing on Queenslanders.

The aims of the PhD project could be aligned with the project's objectives:

1. Explore perceptions, acceptability, barriers, and enablers of cancer screening and evaluate preferences to inform screening delivery.
2. Trial the feasibility of a First Nations Navigator (FNN) to increase cancer screening participation.
3. Quantify the characteristics and healthcare utilisation of Indigenous Australians diagnosed with cancer in ED vs. other diagnostic pathways.
4. Co-design community-owned interventions including strategies for implementation.
5. Explore the health needs of women in prison including cancer screening and co-design with stakeholder's strategies for improving health service models of care. 

The study will employ a mixed-method study design that integrates comprehensive data linkage, Yarning, and surveys to comprehensively analyse people's preferences, enablers, and barriers to screening and to ensure collaboration with and empowerment of First Nations peoples.

The Synergy program aims to enhance cancer screening for First Nations people, operationalise the Queensland Health Equity Strategy through engagement with First Nations communities, and build interdisciplinary research capacity to amplify policy and practice change in cancer screening initiatives.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of health research, cancer research, and health service research would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of health and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of cancer screening is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 31 March, 2025 31 December, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Professor Gail Garvey (g.garvey@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now