Cancer survivorship services for indigenous peoples: where we stand, where to improve? A systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
There are few support programs with evidence-based practices which address the needs of cancer survivors from indigenous populations. This systematic review analysed the experiences and current support services for cancer survivors from indigenous populations following the cessation of cancer treatment.


METHODS
The data sourced for this article was identified from a systematic search of five databases (MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, PyscINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE). Studies were selected if they described the experiences of indigenous cancer survivors, their families, and/or clinicians primarily responsible for their care. In total 208 unique abstracts were screened, from which 17 studies were identified as having fulfilled all selection criteria.


RESULTS
Of the 17 articles reviewed, 12 described qualitative data and 5 provided quantitative data. Common themes identified included the importance of family support throughout the survivorship period, the negative effect of community stigmatization, fatalistic attitudes towards cancer, and the importance of spirituality in coping with, and understanding, the cancer experience. Potential barriers to accessing care included distance and difficulties revisiting the survivor's cancer experience due to an associated fear of cancer recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Indigenous cancer survivors would benefit from survivorship programs more specifically tailored to their individual circumstances, such as personalized spiritual care, facilitation of increased involvement of family members, and connection to other indigenous cancer survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this review indicate that there is a need for survivorship care to be shaped specifically for the needs of indigenous cancer survivors.
Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia. b.cavanagh@student.unsw.edu.au.|Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia. b.cavanagh@student.unsw.edu.au.
Bridget M
BM
Cavanagh
Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.|Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Claire E
CE
Wakefield
Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.|Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Jordana K
JK
McLoone
Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Gail
G
Garvey
Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.|Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Richard J
RJ
Cohn
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D044382:Population Groups / Q000208:ethnology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
Cancer; Indigenous; Oncology; Survivorship