The investigation of stomach cancer is a high priority for Māori cancer control. This study aims to compare stomach cancer treatment and survival between Māori and non-Māori cohorts in New Zealand, and to use those findings to consider and recommend interventions that will change health care delivery and contribute to reducing inequities.
This study is being conducted using a mixed method approach comprised of two-phases:
Phase One: A quantitative investigation of stomach cancer in New Zealand - investigates patient and disease factors, treatment receipt and survival in all Māori patients diagnosed with stomach cancer between January 2006 and December 2008 and a randomly-selected equal number of non-Māori patients. Clinical data were obtained from medical records and pathology reports via a clinical notes review by the candidate. Survival data have been obtained from the national mortality database.
Phase Two: A qualitative review of interventions targeted at health care process and system level factors - utilises a qualitative review of interventions to build on the findings of phase one, investigating those points of the treatment pathway suggested by the data to contribute to ethnic inequalities. Key informant interviews have been held to help to determine which interventions are feasible in New Zealand.
Key publications
Signal, V., Sarfati, D., Cunninghan, R., Gurney, J., Koea, J., Ellison-Loschmann, L. (2015). Indigenous inequities in the presentation and management of stomach cancer in New Zealand: a country with universal health care coverage. Gastric Cancer, 18 (3), p571-579.
Signal, V., Teng., A., Sarfati, D., Gurney, J., et al. (2020). Helicobacter pylori, stomach cancer and its prevention in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 50 (3), p 397-417.