Exploring disparities in receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy in culturally and linguistically diverse groups: an Australian centre's experience

Abstract

Background: Globally, racial and ethnic disparities exist in treatments and outcomes for cancer patients. In Australia, there are few published data related to cancer patients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Aim: To explore disparities in adjuvant chemotherapy utilisation in cancer patients from CALD groups. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients who were recommended adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer or early stage colorectal cancer between July 2011 and October 2014 was performed. Rates of adjuvant chemotherapy uptake were analysed between those who identified English as their first-preferred language, versus those who did not, as well a..