General News
17 February, 2025
Cancer therapy aim of scholar
IN an Australian-first, five Indigenous scholars – including one from Cairns – 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 is descendent of the Kulburri-warra clan of the Kuku Yalanji, Guugu Yimidthirr, Yidnji, and Barbarum nations Kasarina (Kas) Mann.
Each scholar will be supported to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research in a cancer-related field for up to three years.
Ms Mann will be pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree.
She grew up in Cairns and Sydney and is now starting her final year of medicine at the University of Sydney.
She said she planned to pursue a career in gynaecological oncology practice and research.
Ms Mann said she aimed 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.
Currently, cancer is the number one killer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, yet only one per cent of health professionals identify as Indigenous.
The 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 chief executive officer Leila Smith said the 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,” she said.
“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.”
Cancer Australia chief executive officer CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe said delivering more inclusive and culturally-safe cancer care meant 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,” she said.
