The road we travel: Māori experience of cancer.

AIM: This research explores Maori experiences of cancer. It does so to shed light on the causes of cancer inequalities for Maori. METHODS: The views of 44 Maori affected by cancer--including patients, survivors, and their whanau (extended families)--were gathered in five hui (focus groups) and eight interviews in the Horowhenua, Manawatu, and Tairawhiti districts of New Zealand. After initial analysis, a feedback hui was held to validate the findings. RESULTS: Maori identified effective providers of cancer services such as Maori health providers. They also identified positive and negative experiences with health professionals. The involvement of whanau in the cancer journey was viewed as highly significant as was a holistic approach to care. Participants had many suggestions for improvements to cancer services such as better resourcing of Maori providers, cultural competence training for all health workers, the use of systems 'navigators', and the inclusion of whanau in the cancer control continuum. CONCLUSION: The research identifies a range of health system, healthcare process, and patient level factors that contribute to inequalities in cancer for Maori. It also explores the role of racism as a root cause of these inequalities and calls for urgent action.