Indigenous Cancer Control

Improving cancer control for Indigenous people.

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About

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Everyone experiences cancer differently. Indigenous people may have shared experiences and unique needs during their cancer journey.

This page provides resources and links to support Indigenous cancer patients, survivors, and their families. It also highlights work underway to improve Indigenous cancer journeys in British Columbia.

BC Cancer, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Métis Nation British Columbia and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres are working together to better understand the Indigenous cancer journey. They have engaged Indigenous cancer patients, survivors and families from across the province to learn from their experiences.

This engagement helped shape the joint Indigenous Cancer Strategy, Improving Indigenous Cancer Journeys in BC: A road map.

What we are doing

BC Cancer's commitments under the Indigenous Cancer Strategy include:
  • Making cancer care more culturally safe for Indigenous people by implementing the Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services
  • Encouraging more BC Cancer staff to complete the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
  • Making cancer services easier to access by creating liaison positions at BC Cancer centres to help Indigenous people navigate the cancer care system
  • Increasing early cancer detection through screening by developing culturally appropriate information campaigns that encourage participation in colon, breast and cervical cancer screening programs
  • Building a better understanding of the Indigenous cancer journey in BC through new research initiatives that expand on previous work using the FNHA First Nations Client File
  • Working with partners to increase culturally safe cancer prevention initiatives, including research and community outreach in Indigenous communities

What the data says

In 2017, BC Cancer and the First Nations Health Authority completed a study comparing cancer diagnoses and survival rates among First Nations people with Status and non-First Nations people living in BC.

The study found that First Nations people generally have lower overall cancer rates. However, they are more likely to be diagnosed with colon and cervical cancers and are more likely to have poorer survival outcomes after a cancer diagnosis.

More work is needed to understand the reasons for these differences and to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous people.

Indigenous screening stories

 Content Editor ‭[3]‬

 Content Editor ‭[1]‬
Indigenous patient navigators

An Indigenous patient navigator (IPN) works with the cancer team to provide supportive, trauma-informed and culturally safe care for Indigenous patients and their families.

People who identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Status or Non-status can access IPN services.


Contact an Indigenous patient navigator

BC Cancer - Abbotsford

Jasmin Wells
Cell: 604-226-1569​​

BC Cancer - Kelowna

Gloria Big Sorrel Horse
Cell: 250-718-4234

Sheridan Terbasket
Cell: 250-826-4360

BC Cancer - Prince George

Jalissa Brent
Cell: 250-640-2360

BC Cancer - Surrey

Vanessa Prescott
Cell: 604-992-4298

BC Cancer - Vancouver

Crystal Harper
Cell: 604-612-5489

Tonya Lewis
Cell: 672-965-1720

BC Cancer - Victoria

​Gilbert James
Cell: 250-889-5145​

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