LATEST NEWS: 16 September 2025

A ‘Talking Book’ which explains radiation therapy cancer treatment in a culturally-appropriate way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers is now available more broadly, after being updated for use on mobile devices.

The book is the outcome of a Menzies School of Health Research Project called ‘Collaboration and Communication in Cancer Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’ – known as the 4Cs Project.

The 4Cs project aims to enhance patient-centred care through more effective interaction and cross-cultural communication between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receiving cancer treatment and their healthcare providers.

The project is led by Professor Gail Gavey AM and managed by Dr Lorraine Bell at the Menzies School of Health Research.

An original radiation therapy talking book released in 2015 was adapted and updated, with the new version released in April 2025 by the University of Queensland First National & Wellbeing Research (FNCWR) program team.

It has been reprinted and the audiobook has been published to Apple books in two languages (English and Yolngu Matha), with a YouTube video in each language now available to complete full accessibility of this resource.

The audiobook and YouTube videos also feature animations to increase engagement.

The book is aimed at consumers undergoing radiation therapy treatment for cancer and their families or carers. It covers elements of radiation therapy including the cancer care team, what to expect and how to manage radiation therapy as well as possible side effects and how to manage them, and a glossary of medical words related to radiation therapy treatment.

Funding for the 4Cs project was received from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership scheme with partnership between Menzies School of Health Research and clinicians from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in Darwin, Townsville Cancer Centre and the Icon Cancer Centre in Cairns.

To download, watch or listen to the book, follow the links below:

• Read the book: Download Radiation Therapy Book
• Watch the YouTube video in English (1 hour): Radiation Therapy Book  – ENGLISH – YouTube Video
• Watch the YouTube video in Yolngu Matha (1h 20m): Radiation Therapy Book – Yolngu Matha – YouTube Video
• Download the English talking book Epub to your device – Radiation Therapy Book – ENGLISH – Epub
• Download the Yolngu Matha talking book Epub to your device – Radiation Therapy Book – YOLNGU MATHA – Epub
• Access the book on Apple or android device. – Use AppleBooks on an iOS device or download the Adobe Digital Editions app for your Android device.
• Order a printed copy of the book by contacting: ea.fncwr@uq.edu.au