Aboriginal people in Glen Innes are contributing to important UNSW research aimed at making cancer diagnosis and treatment more precise for Aboriginal people.
Modern cancer care can use genomic information, the information contained in a person’s DNA, to help provide more precise diagnosis and treatment.
However, Aboriginal genetic information is not adequately represented in the clinical databases that support this work, meaning cancer treatments informed by genomics are currently less precise for Aboriginal people.
The PAGES Study, Prioritising Aboriginal Genomics through Engagement and Skills, is working to address this gap by collecting saliva samples from 300 Aboriginal adults in the region.
The resulting data is intended to help make cancer care more precise for Aboriginal people in NSW. And this week, Glen Innes is part of that important work.
Aboriginal adults are being invited to provide a saliva sample at the Coomarah Aboriginal Cultural Centre, giving the local community an opportunity to contribute directly to the NSW-wide study.
The research is led by Co-design Health Research & Innovation (CHRI) at UNSW and has been co-designed with the community, for the community.
The Glen Innes component of the study has been driven by strong local Aboriginal leadership, with Aunty Kerry Faiers instrumental in bringing the program to Glen Innes.
Aunty Kerry has been the driving force behind the program being undertaken locally, helping create the opportunity for Aboriginal people in Glen Innes and the surrounding area to contribute to this wider research.
Importantly, PAGES extends beyond collecting genomic data. The study also has a significant workforce component, training Aboriginal people as pathology technicians and genetic counsellors, with one of its intended outcomes being greater Aboriginal participation in the genomics workforce.
Together, these elements reflect the broader purpose of PAGES: building knowledge about precision medicine, increasing Aboriginal skills and participation in genomics, and building the genomic information required to make diagnosis and treatment more precise for Aboriginal people.
“We are delighted to be in Glen Innes this week and to see the tremendous engagement of Aboriginal people and local organisations in this important study.
Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Margot Davis said the opportunity for the local Aboriginal community to contribute to the research had significance well beyond the region.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our community to contribute to research addressing a very real gap in modern medicine,” Cr Davis said.
“The dataset is at the heart of why this work matters. Genomics can help make cancer diagnosis and treatment more precise for the individual, but
Aboriginal genetic information needs to be represented in the data that supports that work. “By contributing to this study, Aboriginal people in Glen Innes are helping build the genomic information needed to make diagnosis and treatment more precise for Aboriginal people with cancer.
“What is also particularly important is that PAGES goes beyond collecting samples. It is building Aboriginal participation in genomics through the training of pathology technicians and genetic counsellors.
“We are incredibly proud that Glen Innes has the opportunity to contribute to this important UNSW research, and I particularly acknowledge Aunty Kerry, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing the program to our community.”
How to participate
The PAGES Study is collecting samples at the Coomarah Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 8 Mackenzie Street, Glen Innes, until Friday 30 October.
Aboriginal adults who participate provide a saliva sample and receive $50 in vouchers. Community members interested in participating or finding out more can contact Kelly Girard Faiers on 0449 180 273.
More information is available through the CHRI website at: https://chri.au/pages/about-chri
Media Release: Glen Innes Severn Council
