THUNDER BAY — The Ontario Native Women's Association is encouraging Indigenous women to take advantage of an opportunity to be screened for breast cancer and other cancers.
In an appeal to the community, the organization asks women to join Indigenous communities across Ontario "as they honour their bodies through screening and prevention ...Help amplify Indigenous women's voices and encourage your family, friends and co-workers to get screened."
ONWA and Cancer Care Ontario have partnered to offer a mobile screening clinic on Friday for women between 50 and 74 years old, and for others who have a strong family history of cancer.
The service will include Indigenous support staff working in collaboration with the cancer screening team.
Tina Ortolan, community development manager of health programs and nurse manager at the ONWA's Mindimooyenh health clinic in Thunder Bay, says Indigenous women are particularly in need of screening, as statistics show they are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease.
"There are lots of reasons. It's due to geographic barriers, mistrust of the medical system, intergenerational trauma, or just lack of reliable transportation," Ortolan said in an interview.
Cancer Care Ontario is deploying its Screen for Life coach to make screening more accessible on Friday.
There is a total of 58 appointments available for screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer.
ONWA will provide culturally-appropriate supports for women who attend.
"We'll be on site offering mental health support, traditional medicine, education on prevention, and we're going to smudge the cancer care bus, and be able to provide any other kind of support they need while they access their appointments," Ortolan said.
She said appointments may be made through the Mindimooyenh health navigation line at 807-697-1753 or through Cancer Care Ontario at 1-866-662-9233.
People who are unable to get an appointment Friday will still be able to get assistance with making a booking at another time, as the clinic offers a health care navigation service.
Ortolan said "there is a big need" for screening in the Indigenous community, and she expects another clinic will be set up in the near future.
