In an Australian-first, five Indigenous scholars have been awarded the inaugural First Nations Cancer Scholarship. The scholarship is funded through an investment of $5.9 million over four years from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia and administered by Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora), to increase the network of Indigenous people who lead and contribute to cancer control, including through research.
Among the recipients are Balarnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru man Brodie Seymour, Gundungurra woman Eden Slicer, Ngarkat woman Kayla Vitale, Wiradjuri and Ngemba Wayilwan person Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse, and descendent of the Kulburri-warra clan of the Kuku Yalanji, Guugu Yimidthirr, Yidnji and Barbarum nations Kasarina Mann.
Each scholar will be supported to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research in a cancer-related field for up to three years. Brodie, Eden, Kayla and Kas will be pursuing Doctor of Medicine degrees at various universities across the country while Khwanruethai will pursue a PhD at Australian National University. Currently, cancer is the number one killer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, yet only 1% of health professionals identify as Indigenous. These scholarships aim to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in building the skills and knowledge required to inform strategies to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous communities and increase the number of First Nations leaders in cancer-related fields.
Aurora's CEO, Leila Smith, said these scholarships would lead the way in promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, representation and leadership in cancer care.
"The First Nations Cancer Scholarship recipients will bring more Indigenous healthcare professionals into the cancer care space, creating a lasting impact on the health, wellness and longevity of our people and communities. I am incredibly proud of our scholars, and look forward to seeing the skills and experience they will bring to the cancer field in the coming years."
Quotes attributable to Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe:
"Delivering more inclusive and culturally-safe cancer care means supporting First Nations-led approaches to cancer, research and care delivery.
"Cancer Australia is proud to be partnering with the Aurora Foundation to create pathways for exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, health professionals and researchers."
Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe and Aurora CEO Leila Smith will present the First Nations Cancer Scholarships in Sydney on 11th February at 9am at The Atrium at the Grounds of Alexandria, 7a/2 Huntley Street, Alexandria.
The successful recipients include:
Balarnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru man, Brodie Seymour. Brodie was raised on Kalkadoon Country in Mount Isa and is set to complete his final year of his Doctor of Medicine degree at Griffith University. Brodie's decision to pursue medicine was influenced by his uncle's experience of geographical isolation from the healthcare system and Country while managing a cancer diagnosis. These experiences have reinforced his decision to become a practitioner and researcher focusing on oncology and improving access to on-Country cancer prevention, screening and treatment services.
Gundungurra woman, Eden Slicer. Eden grew up in Lutruwita, Tasmania, and now lives on Gadigal Country, Sydney. Entering her second year of medicine at the University of New South Wales, Eden is passionate about becoming a research-focused neuro-oncological clinician. She aims to contribute to establishing regional and remote community neuro-oncology outreach clinics to promote early detection and the development of sustainable healthcare relationships with community, as well as undertaking genomic research to understand the unique biology of cancers impacting First Nations peoples to inform the development of targeted treatments.
Ngarkat woman, Kayla Vitale. Kayla grew up in the Mallee region in Victoria and is now entering her second year of study at Flinders University. Having begun her career as a registered nurse interested in childhood brain cancer, she decided to pursue a Doctor of Medicine when her dad got diagnosed with cancer. She wants to support health practitioners in delivering cancer education programs informed by local community priorities, focusing on early detection, prevention, and patient-centered culturally embedded practice.
Ngemba Wayilwan person, Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse. Having grown up in Brisbane, Khwanruethai will begin their PhD focusing on "Cancer Screening at the Intersection: supporting LGTBQISB+ First Nations peoples' access to culturally safe, sexuality and gender-affirming cervical screening" at Australian National University. Their research aims to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of these critical services and will contribute to developing policies and practices that meet the needs of LGBTQISB+ First Nations peoples.
Descendent of the Kulburri-warra clan of the Kuku Yalanji, Guugu Yimidthirr, Yidnji, and Barbarum nations Kasarina (Kas) Mann. Kas grew up in Cairns and Sydney and is now starting her final year of medicine at the University of Sydney, Kas plans to pursue a career in gynaecological oncology practice and research. She aims to address inequities experienced by First Nations women in cancer care by providing cultural safe care and increasing participation and access to early detection services, such as HPV screening and self-collected HPV tests.
