Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

The CanHEAL Program: Advancing equity in cancer-related lymphoedema care for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  (144916)

Ashfaq Chauhan 1 , Louise Koelmeyer 2 , Ramya Walsan 1 , Monique Bareham 3 , Lori Lewis 2 , Katrina Gaitatzis 2 , Rita Haddad 4 , Mashreka Sarwar 1 , Bernadette Brady 5 , Elisabeth Elder 6 , Reema Harrison 1
  1. Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
  2. Australian Lymphoedema Education Research and Treatment Centre , Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  4. Sisters Cancer Support Group , Wollongong , New South Wales, Australia
  5. Australian Centre for Cancer Equity, Ingham Institute, Liverpool, New South Wales , Australia
  6. Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

Introduction: Cancer-related lymphoedema (CRL) is a chronic condition disproportionately impacting cancer survivors from minority ethnic and cultural backgrounds internationally. However, the rate, experiences and health outcomes associated with CRL among Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations is not known. CanHEAL is a three-year research program that aims to address these gaps and use this knowledge to co-design strategies to advance equity in CRL care with cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds.

Method: Adapted experienced-based co-design (EBCD) methods will be conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, three studies (a systematic review, a retrospective cohort study using linked data from three Australian states and a qualitative study with cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds at risk of CRL and their clinician) will be conducted. In Phase 2, a series of three co-design workshops will be conducted with cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds at risk of or affected by CRL and their clinicians. A consumer co-facilitator will co-lead the conduct of co-design workshops along with research co-facilitators in Phase 2. P

Discussion: CanHEAL will address a priority issue in Australia for a growing population of cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds. The program will provide the first Australian evidence on the rate, associated healthcare use and experiences of CRL care among cancer survivors from CALD backgrounds. The program will produce a novel co-design strategy for advancing equity in CRL care. Strong consumer engagement throughout the research program is embedded through appointment of consumers in project advisory roles and through adapted EBCD approach. Implementation and evaluation of the co-designed strategy at a partner health service will be the next step. This project was conceived with input from three consumers with lived experience of CRL or cancer from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, also co-authors on this paper.