Vulnerable Populations: Indigenous Cancer Care in Ontario

Everyone it seems, has a connection to cancer, no surprise when every 1 in 2 Ontarians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.  1 in 4 will die from the disease.   For First Nations people there are higher rates for incidence and mortality and their survival rates are lower (CCO, 2022).  So, what is Ontario doing to address the gap? 

Provincially, work has happened over the past few decades to establish better health approaches for Indigenous peoples.  In 1997 the Joint Ontario Indigenous Cancer Committee was formed which provides input and guidance to Cancer Care Ontario as it develops, implements and evaluates its Indigenous Cancer Strategies.  Cancer Care Ontario oversees the Cancer Care Unit, which aims to reduce inequities and improve cancer care for Ontario’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.  This is done through building regional capacity in cancer care centres (acute and community) and supporting three important roles which are implemented locally (CCO, 2025). 

The Indigenous Patient Navigator provides support and advocacy for self-identified First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and Urban Indigenous patients and families in the region by facilitating and coordinating access to cancer services, palliative and supportive care, and addressing cultural and spiritual needs to make the cancer journey a culturally safe experience.

The role of the Regional Indigenous Clinical Lead is to engage and collaborate with primary care providers to bridge patient and provider understanding of Indigenous cancer control and advocate for addressing the primary care needs of Indigenous people in each region.

The Indigenous Coordinator works to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders in the region. The Coordinator supports the work of the Regional Indigenous Clinical Lead and provides coordination and support for Indigenous outreach initiatives relevant to improving the cancer journey with, and for, Indigenous people in the region (HHS, 2023).

Specific resources are also available for Indigenous people in Ontario.  This includes an Indigenous Tobacco program which helps communities become tobacco wise while respecting the traditional use of tobacco.  Additionally there is support specific to cancer screening outlining specific programs available for breast, colorectal and cervical screening in Ontario (Ontario Health, 2023).

As stated in the outset of this blog, Indigenous peoples in Canada have an elevated cancer risk compared to non-Indigenous peoples and face challenges that hinder their pursuit of high-quality cancer care at all steps of the cancer care continuum. To date, the most successful initiatives in Canada have been collaborative and have had Indigenous leadership. These initiatives have drawn attention to specific issues such as screening, funding, and culturally appropriate care, and have identified resources necessary to address these problems.  Ongoing advocacy will hopefully continue to realize support from the Province to address the disparity for Indigenous people, and continue to develop programs that allow for high quality, culturally sensitive and Indigenous led cancer care.

References:

Cancer Care Ontario. (2022). Ontario cancer statistics 2022: Key findings 2022. Cancer Care Ontario. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/data-research/view-data/statistical-reports/ontario-cancer-statistics-2022/key-findings-2022

Cancer Care Ontario. (n.d.). Joint cancer care Aboriginal committee. Cancer Care Ontario. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/cancer-care-ontario/programs/aboriginal-programs/joint-cancer-care-aboriginal-committee

Cancer Care Ontario. (n.d.). Indigenous cancer care unit. Cancer Care Ontario. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/cancer-care-ontario/programs/indigenous-cancer-care-unit

Hamilton Health Sciences. (n.d.). Indigenous cancer care program. Hamilton Health Sciences. https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/areas-of-care/cancer-care/cancer-services/indigenous-cancer-care-program/

Ontario Health. (n.d.). Indigenous services & resources. Ontario Health. https://www.ontariohealth.ca/getting-health-care/indigenous-services-resources

Beckett, M., Cole, K., White, M., Chan, J., McVicar, J., Rodin, D., Clemons, M., & Bourque, J.-M. (2021). Decolonizing cancer care in Canada. Journal of Cancer Policy, 30, 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpo.2021.100309