PPP 193 - Childhood Cancer in First Nations People with Dr Jessica Buck

To align with NAIDOC week this year we have a special bonus episode.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Jessica Buck about childhood cancer in First Nations people, genomics, and the importance of cultural safety in healthcare and research. A proud Kamilaroi woman, she is the Team Leader of the First Nations Childhood Cancer Program at The Kids Research Institute Australia — a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to developing culturally safe, community-led research strategies to improve outcomes for First Nations children with cancer.

Together, we explore how a First Nations perspective can strengthen biomedical science and improve care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families affected by cancer.

We cover:

• What culturally safe healthcare and research look like in practice

• Applying a First Nations lens to genomics and biomedical science

• How historical harms in healthcare and research continue to influence trust today

• Childhood cancer outcomes for First Nations children

• The impact of geography, access to care, racism and broader inequities

• Why representation in genomic databases and clinical trials matters

• The clinical implications of underrepresentation for diagnosis and treatment

• The potential role of pharmacogenomics in cancer care

• Treatment-related adverse effects

• Opportunities to improve equity in childhood cancer care

Further reading and resources:

• Clark (Adnyamathanha), J.R., Buck (Kamilaroi), J., Richards-Satour (Adnyamathanha and Barngarla), A., Lyons (Jaadwa), L. and Brown (Yuin), A. (2024), Towards precision cancer medicine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer health equity. Med J Aust, 221: 68-73. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52346 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.52346 

•  Alexandra Truong, Kayla Williams‐Tucker (Ngarluma, Wongutha, Wudjari Noongar), Ahmi Narkle (Whadjuk Goreng Noongar), Eden Slicer (Gundungurra), Jessica‐Elise Chapman (Kamilaroi, Bundjalung), Jessica Lawler, Rishi S Kotecha, Hetal Dholaria, Justine R Clark (Adnyamathanha), Alex Brown (Yuin), Raelene Endersby, Nicholas G Gottardo and Jessica Buck (Kamilaroi) - Current gaps in knowledge and future research directions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with cancer - https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2025/222/10/current-gaps-knowledge-and-future-research-directions-aboriginal-and-torres

•  The Kids Research Institute Australia https://www.thekids.org.au/our-research/chronic-diseases/first-nations-childhood-cancer/ 

•  Zero Childhood Cancer https://www.zerochildhoodcancer.org.au/

•  Henrietta Lacks: science must right a historical wrong - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02494-z 

A note on the artwork for this episode: “Cancer 2025”

Shaznaye Bin-Kali, is a Kija and Yawuru Jij from Broome, W.A. She is 15 years old. She was diagnosed with brain cancer at six months old and experienced her first seizure at the age of one, which led to her first operation. This painting represents the spread of her brain cancer. The lines surrounding it symbolise her very first seizure, an important moment in my journey. Through her art, she shares her story, resilience, and connection to her culture.

Note: NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It aims to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.