Barriers and Enablers to Cancer Prevention, Screening and Early Detection Among Travellers in Ireland: Healthcare Professionals Perspectives

Abstract

Objectives: Travellers, a minority ethnic group in Ireland, experience higher-than-expected cancer-specific mortality. This codesigned research study explored the perceptions of community-based primary healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the barriers and enablers for Travellers in the context of cancer prevention and early detection behaviors (ie, screening participation, and timely reporting of cancer symptoms).

Methods: Semistructured phone/Zoom interviews were conducted with 15 community-based HCPs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 4 key themes were generated. (1) Poverty and exclusion: the corrosive impact of the social determinants of health (SDoH); (2) Health system barriers include health services access challenges, cultural insensitivity and discrimination; (3) Certain individual and/or cultural barriers impact cancer prevention and early detection behaviors; (4) National and local level strategies are warranted for improved cancer prevention and early detection behaviors among Travellers. A whole-of-government approach is required to address these barriers while working in partnership with Traveller organizations.

Implications for nursing practice: Nurses must engage in cultural sensitivity training to enhance their understanding of the barriers and enablers to cancer prevention and early detection behaviors among minority ethnic groups. Nurses can advocate for and engage in actions to address these barriers at a national, local and individual level.

Keywords: Barriers; Cancer; Discrimination; Healthcare professionals; Minority ethnic group; Social determinants of health; Travellers.