image: Dr. Aisha Lofters, a family physician and clinician scientist in the Department of Family and Community Medicine of St. Michael's Hospital, has identified barriers to cancer screening, particularly among South Asians living in Peel Region. view more
Credit: St. Michael's Hospital
TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2013— South Asian-Canadians living in Peel Region may be 15 per cent less likely than other Ontarians to be screened for breast, cervical or colorectal cancer, making them much more vulnerable to cancer deaths.
The findings were published today in a report by researchers at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
Peel Region – a municipality comprised of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga – has 1.3 million residents, nearly one-quarter of whom are of South Asian ethnicity. South Asians are the largest and fastest growing visible minority group in Canada.
"South Asian patients aren't to blame for low cancer screening rates," said Dr. Aisha Lofters, a family physician and clinician scientist in the Department of Family and Community Medicine of St. Michael's Hospital. "There are significant barriers that need to be removed so we can really 'move the needle'."
Ontario's health system and its primary care physicians account for some of the barriers to cancer screening in Peel and across the country, according to the report. Long wait times for appointments and limited opportunities to talk about cancer screening hinder patients' opportunities to get screened.
Challenges for the South Asian community - and presumably other immigrant groups - include: patients' limited knowledge of cancer risk factors, tests and the success of modern treatment; a lack of education materials that are well-translated, easy-to-read and culturally-specific; and a shortage of partnerships between public health departments, primary care physicians and South Asian community groups.
"South Asian community organizations best-understood the challenges their community faced in the health system," said Dr. Lofters. "But they often don't have a seat at the table."
Peel and the Canadian Cancer Society have already begun to use the research to adapt the Screening Saves Lives program for South Asian communities in Peel. The Screening Saves Lives program trains South Asian volunteers to act as lay health educators and engage friends, families and social networks in conversations about cancer screening.
About St. Michael's Hospital
St Michael's Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in 27 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital's recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael's Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
Media contacts:
For more information, or to arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact:
Geoff Koehler
Adviser, Media Relations
St. Michael's Hospital
416-864-6060 ext. 6537
koehlerg@smh.ca
Journal
American Journal of Public Health