Thunder Bay, ON – October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Mindimooyenh Health program encourages Indigenous women and families to learn about breast cancer prevention and screening.
Indigenous women in Ontario are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease. Indigenous communities lack equal access to breast cancer screening and prevention programs. This reinforces the need for screening.
ONWA encourages all Indigenous women to be screened as soon as they are eligible. Cancer screening is performed on people who are well and have no symptoms. Screening eligibility includes all women aged fifty to seventy-four or sometimes earlier if there is a strong family history. A Mammogram is the best screening tool and should be performed every 2 years until you reach the age of 75. Regular screening is important in early detection and results in more successful treatment outcomes.
ONWA recognizes that Indigenous people are less likely have access to screening appointments close to home or to be up to date with screening. Cancer Care Ontario operates a mobile unit throughout the province including remote northern communities. Please call the Mindimooyenh Health Navigation Line at 807-697-1753 for help finding a mobile unit near you. The Mindimooyenh Health Navigation Line can also address additional questions about cancer screening, access to a mammogram, or cervical screening in your area.
For those in the Thunder Bay area, ONWA and Cancer Care Ontario are partnering to offer a mobile screening clinic Friday October 21, 2022. The mobile unit will offer Indigenous supports working in collaboration with the cancer screening team. The mobile unit offers an inclusive safe environment for screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Please call 807-684-777, or if you need assistance, please call the Mindimooyenh Clinic at 807-697-1753.
This year, join Indigenous communities across Ontario as they honour their bodies through screening and prevention for breast cancer. Help amplify Indigenous women’s voices and encourage your family, friends, and co-workers to get screened.
For more information:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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