Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention – with a Personal Touch

Sudbury – A pilot project is underway that will see the North East Regional Cancer Program and the Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit of Cancer Care Ontario take the message of colorectal cancer prevention and screening directly to First Nations communities.The ACCU has enlisted the assistance of the HRSRH’s new Aboriginal Cancer Prevention and Screening (ACPS) Coordinator to travel to local communities to deliver the Community Learning Series (CLS), an education initiative to provide frontline service providers information on colorectal cancer prevention and the province’s new screening program, ColonCancerCheck. The CLS kit includes facilitator manuals and resource tools (educational playing cards, a posters based on the Seven Grandfathers teachings and Cycle of Life and a colorectal cancer signs and symptoms wheel).

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. The incidence rate of colorectal cancer among Ontario First Nations people is increasing dramatically where for the First Nations male, the rate has now surpassed that of the Ontario male population.

“It is essential to have cancer screening and prevention champions in Aboriginal communities to make sure Aboriginal people have access to the most up-to-date health information that can save their lives,” says Caroline Lidstone-Jones, Director, Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit, Cancer Care Ontario. “We know colorectal cancer incidence rates are rising but we also know colorectal cancer is 90 per cent curable when detected early through screening.”

According to ACPS Coordinator Brian Slegers, a more personal approach is required in informing communities about the importance of colorectal cancer prevention and screening, explaining the rationale for the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) as part of the ColonCancerCheck screening program, and demonstrating how to use FOBTs properly.

“First Nations communities are often disadvantaged in terms of screening opportunities and access to physicians and services. There are also issues that must be addressed in the way certain information is presented and received. We are visiting a select group of communities and will assess how effective this means of communication proves to be in the promotion of this program,” says Slegers.

Slegers was recently on Manitoulin Island and has visited the Garden River and Nipissing First Nations. This week he travels up to several James Bay coast communities. Findings of the pilot implementation will help inform the planned provincial roll-out of the program, expected in the Fall of this year.

The role of the ACPS Coordinator is to help manage the development, dissemination and implementation of culturally relevant Aboriginal cancer prevention and screening promotional messages, and initiatives that align with the priorities and recommendations of Cancer Care Ontario’s Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit, Cancer 2020 Action Plan and the NE Ontario Regional Cancer Plan.

Cancer Care Ontario continually improves cancer services so that fewer people get cancer and patients receive better care.

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