Māori Cancer Forum to address high cancer rates

Media Release
21 May 2009

National Māori Cancer Forum to address high cancer rates

When cancer rates for Māori men are 55.6% higher than non-Māori and 83.5% higher for Māori women than non-Māori* the announcement of a Māori Cancer Forum is both critical and opportune.

A coalition of Māori Cancer services will be hosting a forum themed Revolution of Cancer Care for Māori and Whānau on August 12, 13 and 14, 2009. To be held in Rotorua, home of Te Arawa, the forum will provide the platform for the exposition of indigenous research, medicine, services and experiences from around the world.

Bringing together people from all perspectives of the cancer journey to gain knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure excellence in cancer service and to reduce barriers to access of services for Māori and whānau affected by cancer, the speaker line-up includes some of the world's leading indigenous medical specialists.

International speakers include Dr Felicia Hodge of Center for American Indian/Indigenous Research and Education; Dr Gail Garvey and Dr Patricia Valery of Indigenous Research Programme, Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Matthew Town of Northwest Tribal Cancer Project, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.

Dr Hodge's research has focused on chronic health conditions and health benefits and behaviours among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Dr Garvey and Dr Valery, and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, have undertaken a study into the cancer rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Matthew Town, through his work, is focused on reducing the cancer burden for American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

Cancer is the cause of 29.6 percent of all deaths in New Zealand. At least one third of all cancers are preventable while one third is also treatable if detection is made at an early stage. For Māori, diagnosis is more likely to occur once the cancer is spread.

The coalition of Māori Cancer care services and Forum Steering Group comprises of the following Māori cancer care services, including five Ministry of Health cancer care pilot programmes: Aroha Mai Māori Cancer Support; Kaitiaki Nursing Services; Kimihauora Health Centre; Northern Cancer Network; Tamaki PHO; Te Kahui Hauora; Te Kupenga o Hoturoa - Wai Health; West Coast PHO.

For more information on the forum visit www.maoricancer.co.nz

ENDS

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