Black and Indigenous women experience disproportionately higher rates of breast and cervical cancer due to socioeconomic inequities and systemic barriers. Screening plays a vital role in detecting cancer earlier and Women’s College Hospital (WCH) is committed to offering a culturally informed and welcoming experience tailored to the needs of the community.
Aimed at building trust and breaking barriers for Black women who have historically been under-screened for breast and cervical cancer in Canada, WCH partnered with community organizations like TAIBU Community Health Centre, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands and The Olive Branch of Hope, to provide a safe space and a sense of community for Black women attending the screening day. They participated in Pap tests, mammograms, and, for the first time, risk assessments for lung cancer were available to those eligible under the Ontario Lung Screening Program.
“This initiative is important because it provides a positive, pleasant and trust-building experience for women. Mammograms and Pap smears can be uncomfortable for many and we wanted to make a space where people leave smiling and feel appreciated,” shares Dr. Aisha Lofters, medical director of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at WCH.
To foster a welcoming environment, the event included cultural music, arts activities, mindfulness and yoga, meals, and blood pressure assessments.
“We provided individual patient navigators, allowed ample time for screening appointments, and had providers who are trained in cultural competence and trauma-informed care to create a safe space. I also would emphasize that WCH staff of all ethnicities and genders were involved in making this day a success,” adds Dr. Lofters.
Following the success of the event, WCH expanded its efforts to offer a similar screening initiative for the Indigenous community who also encounter unique barriers to accessing care.
“Many Indigenous patients face significant barriers to accessing care due to the history of colonization that continues to fuel stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings,” says Christine Monague, Indigenous Peer Support and Relations Advocate, Ganawishkadawe - The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health (GCWP-IH) at WCH.
Kawennanoron Cynthia White, Elder-in-Residence and Traditional Healer at WCH, opened the screening day with a smudging – a traditional ceremony that consists of burning sacred medicines like sweet grass, tobacco and cedar to clear away negative energy and promote healing.
“Our aim is to offer a screening event in a supportive environment while offering culturally appropriate information and services,” explains Monague. “Creating a health system that recognizes and respects Indigenous identities means finding ways to integrate Indigenous healing and wellness supports into our services.”
Organized by GCWP-IH in partnership with the Indigenous Cancer Program and the Toronto Central Region Cancer Program, the first Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening for Indigenous People event provided access to Pap tests and mammograms for Indigenous patients. For some of these patients, this represented the first time they felt comfortable and safe accessing cancer screening.
The community cancer screening events are a striking example of the power of partnerships in reaching deep into communities to bridge gaps in healthcare for those who have been historically marginalized and who may not have regular access to primary care clinicians. From incorporating cultural music to providing access to traditional medicines, seemingly small gestures go a long way in challenging what healthcare can look like and in building an inclusive health system where everyone has access to the quality care they expect and deserve.
