Launch of video series in Sudbury highlighting cancer screening
Health Sciences North and the Northeast Regional Cancer Program have launched a new video series called 'Conversations about Cancer.'
It's intended for Indigenous people of all ages who want to learn more about what cancer is and why screening can help save lives and improve patient outcomes.
The series includes five videos that educate and address the importance of screening for breast, colorectal, cervical and lung cancer.
The project is the result of community health consultations.
"When I became the regional Indigenous cancer lead, my team and I thought, let's get out in the communities and ask them what they think the barriers are and needs are within the cancer journey," said Dr. Erin Peltier, regional Indigenous cancer lead with the Northeast Regional Cancer Program.
"We went community to community and we found from health directors, from health centre staff that people aren't getting screened."
The videos are available in Cree, Ojibwe, English and French on the HSN website.
"Ojibway and Cree were really important because we want these videos to be accessible to all communities and all ages," said Marnie Anderson, indigenous engagement liaison with the Northeast Regional Cancer Program.
"We also got them closed-captioned for accessibility purposes (and) to be able to read and see at the same time. So it was really important for that piece because we are always trying to make health information accessible."
People involved in the project said there are unique barriers and inequities that prevent some Indigenous people from getting the care and information they need.
"Studies have shown that our people come in late, the cancer has already spread and it's Stage 4," said Peltier.
"The treatments don't work as well at that stage. So the main purpose is to get screened early, catch that cancer early, therefore lessening morbidity and mortality."
Partners in the project said the videos have a strong educational element.
"When you watch, it you're going to learn a lot about cancer screening," said Anderson.
"You are going to learn what ages you should be doing it, you might learn a little about the process. It really tries to remove that fear around cancer screening because often we are scared to do it."
Officials involved in the project said they hope the videos help to alleviate concerns about screening and add it's all about improving health outcomes for Indigenous patients and their families.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.