Health data show higher rates of some forms of cancer in Algoma district

A new community health profile in the Algoma District shows the area is significantly below provincial averages in a number of health metrics.

With updated data, community organizations now have what they call “ammunition” to show higher levels of government how strongly they need support.

It has been six years since the district had one document with comprehensive, up-to-date health data.

The health profile covers more than a dozen areas of health indicators, showing where the district falls behind provincial averages.

“We've covered everything from environmental health to school have to chronic diseases," said Mehak Khanna, an epidemiologist with Algoma Public Health.

The data offers "an idea of what's happening overall. Plan your programs with this. Plan your community actions with. This is what our intention is."

Among the most concerning statistics are Algoma’s cancer rates, where new diagnoses are tops in the province, and the rate for cancer-related deaths ranks third.

Smoking is linked to 46 per cent of regional cancer deaths, with more than 13 per cent associated with alcohol use.

A new community health profile in the Algoma District shows the area is significantly below provincial averages in a number of health metrics. (Photo from video)

"In some cases, I think there is room for more education, for example, with alcohol," said Dr. John Tuinema, acting medical officer of health.

"A lot of research has been done over the last 10 to 15 years that has shown that it contributes to cancer a lot more than we previously thought. There are specifically seven cancers in particular that are significantly influenced by alcohol consumption."

The community health profile is a critical tool when submitting funding requests to the provincial and federal governments.

“The most important factor is having concrete data to build a case for support," said Tony Caporossi of the Alzheimer Society of Sault & Algoma.

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"And then looking at the data that APH is providing, that will help us build a better case for support for people in our community."

“Increased funding could go a very long way to helping us with these health issues that we know our rates are at, for many of them, the worst in the province," Tuinema said.

Although the health profile shows a worsening state for many categories in the Algoma District, it isn't all negative.

Compared to the previous profile, cases of infant mortality and Hep-C have both declined, and the same can be said for a variety of cancers.

For the full report, visit the Algoma Public Health website.