Best Practice Principles for Engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations in Breast Cancer Screening: Scoping Review
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in Australia.[1] Screening is an important preventative strategy and BreastScreen offers free mammogram services for women aged 50-74. Within SWSLHD, there is a relatively low rate of screening participation (41.9% in June 2023) when compared to the BreastScreen Australia’s target rate of 70%. Research suggests that women from a CALD background are less likely to have awareness of or participate in cancer screening[2] [3]. It could be hypothesized that a contributing factor to the low screening rate in SWSLHD is the high proportion of CALD women residing in the area.
Project Description
This project will provide some best practice principles for engaging CALD populations in breast cancer screening. A scoping review approach will focus on peer-reviewed literature. The review was guided by the following research questions:
1. Explore the approaches to engage CALD populations in preventative cancer screening
a) What types of interventions have been utilised?
b) Have these interventions been evaluated for their effectiveness and impact?
Related Publications
Partner Organisations
SWSLHD Breast Screen
SWSLHD Population Health
Project Team
Patrick Harris
Karla Jaques
Thomas Baker (Intern)
Contact Person
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia 2019 [Internet]; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Canberra, Australia, 2019. Available online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/8c9fcf52-0055-41a0-96d9-f81b0feb98cf/aihw-can-123.pdf.aspx?inline=true (accessed 14 July 2023)
[2] Phillipson, L.; Larsen-Truong, K.; Jones, S.; Pitts, L. Improving Cancer Outcomes among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: A Rapid Review [Internet]; Sax Institute: Sydney, Australia, 2012; Available online: https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Improving-cancer-outcomes-among-CALD-communities-230413v2.pdf (accessed on 14 July 2023).
[3] Kwok, C.; Endrawes, G.; Lee, C. Cultural Beliefs and Attitudes about Breast Cancer and Screening Practices among Arabic Women in Australia. Cancer Nurs. 2016, 39, 367–374.
