Table 3 Barriers to cancer screening uptake as well as follow-up and treatment in Indigenous populations
From: Australia's National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: does it work for Indigenous Australians?
Socio-cultural and behavioural barriers | Structural barriers |
|---|---|
Individual barriers | Access barriers |
Poor knowledge and awareness of cancer and screening services | Poor coordination of services, from screening to follow-up and treatment |
Low levels of health literacy | Lack of transportation |
Language/literacy barriers | Distance barriers/rural residence |
Low perceived risk | Frequent moving, changing address |
Negative attitude | Child care commitments (family responsibilities) |
Worry or fear of cancer | Inflexible clinic schedules |
Fatalism regarding cancer | Lack of Indigenous staff |
Low priority of screening | Difficulties negotiating/communicating with providers and organizations due to language/literacy or cultural differences |
Perceived self efficacy | Â |
Lack of appropriate health information | Â |
Presence of co-morbidities | Lack of health promotion material in Indigenous languages |
History of racism and distrust in medical institutions | Â |
Discomfort with mainstream services/alienating hospital environment | Â |
Absence of holistic, culturally appropriate cancer services | Â |
| Â | Economic |
| Â | Cost of seeing a GP including transport |
| Â | Unsure of potential costs of follow-up and treatment |
| Â | Costs for travel and accommodation to hospital |
| Â | Provider-related |
| Â | Lack of understanding of cultural needs |
| Â | Poor identification of Indigenous status |
| Â | Lack of appropriate resources |