LAUSR

Background: Prompt diagnosis of symptomatic cancer has been shown to improve survival and quality of life. The time from noticing a bodily change and seeking medical help has been termed the 'symptom appraisal interval'. The processes people undertake during symptom appraisal are impacted by numerous factors, including culture. Aim: We aimed to explore culturally specific factors that impact symptom appraisal and help seeking for a cancer diagnosis in Vietnamese-speaking Australians and to develop a culturally relevant community-based symptom awareness campaign. Methods: We used a mixed methods approach to survey and interview people who had not experienced cancer and interviewed people with a recent diagnosis of cancer. We also tested campaign materials in focus groups and interviews with community members. Results: 28 people participated in the interview study and 65 completed surveys. We found poor symptom recognition and a prevailing Taoist or traditional Eastern model of health and illness. There was...