Community organizations have partnered together to improve cancer screening for those who live in area First Nations.
The Sarnia-Lambton Ontario Health Team (OHT) has partnered with various organizations, including Bluewater Health, to make sure people are able to access services such as mammograms and PAP tests.
Sarnia-Lambton OHT Interim Executive Lead Nadine Neve said three clinics were scheduled to take place during the month of October through a referral system with local health centres. Transportation options were also offered for people to get to the hospital.
The first clinic was held on October 12 for Aamjiwnaang First Nation residents.
*The next clinics were scheduled to take place on October 26 for Kettle & Stony Point First Nation and on October 27 for Walpole Island First Nation. However, the clinics were postponed after Bluewater Health was impacted by a cyber attack this week. Rescheduled clinic dates have yet to be determined.
Neve said historically, Indigenous communities have faced barriers in accessing health care.
"This really is a direct response to breaking down some of those barriers, ensuring that everyone has access to this routine screening and we've seen a lot of success with hosting the clinics and really wrapping that car around these individuals when they come in," she said. "If someone is wanting to book through the health centre and they don't have a primary care provider, we actually look at connecting them to that as well."
This is the second time the OHT has partnered with others to hold cancer screening clinics. Neve said last year, approximately 45 to 50 people took part in the clinic.
Neve stressed the importance of breast and cervical cancer screening as it's "all about early detection."
As of 2020, breast cancer was the most common type of cancer diagnosed worldwide, read a media release. Breast cancer is also the single leading cause of cancer death in women under the age of 60.
The Sarnia-Lambton OHT said women should have a "baseline" mammogram and have follow-up screenings every one to two years depending on their health needs.
Sarnia-Lambton women, aged 50 to 54 in particular, can book an appointment for their first mammogram at Bluewater Health by calling 519-464-4515. A referral from a doctor is not required.
October is also recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Meanwhile, those who register for the recently launched ConnectMyHealth digital tool can access their screening results online.
The portal combines health records from hospitals in the Ontario Health West Region into one. The tool allows patients to access health records such as radiology reports and images, laboratory results, and hospital discharge summaries.
Further details about ConnectMyHealth can be found on the Sarnia-Lambton OHT's website.