Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a higher lung cancer incidence and poorer survival than non-Indigenous Australians.  Moreover, remoteness of residence, culture, health literacy and difficulty accessing appropriate specialised lung cancer services can influence people’s decisions to seek health care. Our aim was to survey the level of lung cancer awareness and identify barriers that may affect health care decision making in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in order to address this important issue.

Using a mixed method research design, interviews were conducted in 3 Aboriginal communities involving 3 population groups (1) patients 2) Indigenous health workers, (3) community members aged 18 years and over.  Demographics, current health status, access and utilisation of health services were cross tabulated with age, education attainment, socio-economic characteristics, cultural influences, lung cancer awareness and knowledge.

51 community members, 14 Indigenous health workers and one patient consented to participate. 49% of respondents reflected they knew nothing or very little about lung cancer; 30% associated lung cancer with smoking; 97% recognised one or more symptoms as a possible warning sign of lung cancer; 68% would seek health care if they developed symptoms associated with lung cancer.  17% reflected that communication between patients, families and health provides could improve. 14% believed Indigenous health workers could be more involved in preventative health and health promotion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is a complex area. Understanding interplays between culture, socio-economic factors, history, demography and social determinants is fundamental to improving health outcomes including lung cancer outcomes.