IT'S AN alarming theme among published reports on Indigenous people and cancer. "The impact of cancer of Indigenous people often attracts much less attention than it deserves, for two main reasons.
"First: the level of identification of Indigenous people in cancer notifications is known to be poor, with only the data from Queensland, WA, SA, and the NT deemed adequate for publication.
Second: the fact that cancer has often been reported in terms of the proportions of deaths it causes, rather than by rates, has tended to give the erroneous impression that cancer does not have a great impact among Indigenous people. Proper analyses, however, suggest that there are around 40 per cent more cancer deaths among Indigenous Australians than expected on the basis of non-Indigenous rates." -- Source:
HealthInfoNet.
And: "The fact that Indigenous people are more likely than non-Indigenous people to die from cancer could be because the cancers they develop (such as cancers of the lung and liver) are more likely to be fatal, or that the stage of cancer may be more advanced by the time it is recognised. -- Source:
HealthInfoNet.
It's a depressing scenario, again highlighting the virtual Third World state of Indigenous health in Australia, a First World country. Going by the above, Essendon's eight-strong Indigenous contingent, the most in the AFL this season, among them debutant, Jarrod Atkinson, would statistically have more relatives at the wrong end of cancer detection. The initiative by their club yesterday at least brings the universal issue of cancer to the forefront.
Essendon has used the game, played annually against Melbourne, as part of the Anti-Cancer Council's 'Call to Arms' appeal to raise awareness about the disease and collect funds for research. The Bombers players wore specially-made guernseys with a yellow band around the left sleeve, which will be
auctioned off for charity.
The Bombers' Adam Ramanauskas, a premiership player in 2000, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and suffered a recurrence in 2006. His battle now appears won. He has played 14 games this season to push his career tally of 130.
* Early detection of cancer is vitally important. Contact your local Aboriginal Medical Service or GP and book a check-up now!
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Last Modified on 03/08/2008 00:41