New online directory puts translated cancer resources within click of a mouse

Cancer Council today (20/6) launched a new online initiative to assist Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities access cancer information in their own language.

The CALD Cancer Resource Directory, a searchable online library of 600 publications, videos and websites, provides a wide range of translated cancer information including prevention, treatment and support. 

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Ian Olver, said the directory was designed to provide a single point of access to cancer resources in Australia published in languages other than English. The free service would make it easier for health professionals and the public to locate evidence-based cancer resources in their preferred language. 

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate by culture,” Professor Olver said. “One in four Australians is born overseas and we know that migrants diagnosed with cancer have poorer cancer outcomes than comparable non-migrant groups, with lower screening and survival rates.”

CALD Patient Support Coordinator, Anna Epifanio, said the site itself was in English, but provided information in a range of languages including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, and Vietnamese. 

“The CALD Cancer Resource Directory will be particularly helpful to health professionals who are looking for credible and reliable information to provide to their patients,” Ms Epifanio said.

“Searches can be conducted by resource type (fact sheet, video, website), category (screening, prevention, treatment) keyword and title, and whether the resource has been designed for health professionals or the public.

“New resources can be submitted via the website and will be reviewed by Cancer Council for inclusion.”

Ms Epifanio said Cancer Council was working to ensure that all Australians, no matter their background, had access to factual cancer information.

Visit the CALD Cancer Resource Directory at cancer.org.au/CALD  

Cancer Council also provides help over the phone with the use of an interpreter. Call 13 14 50 between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm, and ask for the language you require. (Available in all states except Tasmania.)