Title
Engaging youth in reducing the burden of liver cancer in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Authors
Mamta Porwal, Barbara Hillman, Matthew Russel, Monica Robotin
Background
In NSW hepatocellular cancer (HCC) incidence is rising faster than any other cancer, particularly among migrants born in countries of high hepatitis B (HBV) prevalence. As chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment can effectively prevent HCC, low community awareness and stigma related to these diagnoses represent missed opportunities for cancer control. Earlier this year we conducted a CHB awareness survey among participants at the “Bring It on” Youth Festival, which identified common misconceptions about CHB disease causation. As youth were more knowledgeable about HBV than the older population, we propose to collaborate with community organisations in Fairfield City to make CALD youth (people aged between 14-24 years old) aware and committed to raising community awareness of HBV and HCC, while providing them with opportunities to attain skills in digital media
Methods
Youth will be identified through community networks and offered opportunities for training in developing short-films. They will be coached on HBV and develop community messages about HBV and HCC, which will be incorporated into developing short films addressing HBV related stigma, myths and misconceptions about cancer in CALD communities. The short films will be entered into the popular ‘SHORTCUTS Film Festival’ hosted by Fairfield City in 2013 and screened at the Bring It on Festival in 2013
Results
The publicity surrounding both events will be used to foster community dialogue about HBV and cancer prevention and discussions around CHB and HCC and a repeat knowledge survey will be distributed following the screening of the films, to ascertain changes from baseline.
Conclusion
Engaging youth via digital media will cultivate a dialogue on stigmatising disease and address gaps in liver cancer information in CALD communities