OHSWEKEN — The local Reclaiming Well Being: Cancer Free Lives Committee is encouraging men from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation to `Stick It to Colon Cancer’ by making time for colon cancer screening.
The Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a free, easy take-home test that screens for signs of colon cancer. Men and women, ages 50 to 74, with no symptoms or close family history of colon cancer are encouraged to take this test every two years as part of their routine medical care. The test will be promoted and distributed at a men’s health event on Saturday, March 3 at the Gaylord Powless Arena in Ohsweken.
Colon cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ontario and the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Screening is important because when caught early enough, 90 per cent of people with colon cancer can be cured. Once colon cancer spreads to other parts of the body it’s much more difficult to treat.
“We’re reaching out to parents and grandparents who are at the rink on March 3 for kids’ local league hockey games,” said Dr. Amy Montour, Aboriginal Clinical Lead for the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program. Dr. Montour is a local physician, Six Nations resident and member of the Reclaiming Well Being Committee.
Dr. Montour will have an information table inside the arena lobby. She’ll be joined by Lisa Beedie from Cancer Care Ontario’s Aboriginal Tobacco Program and other local healthcare partners that may be involved during the cancer journey. They can also field questions about other cancers including lung, prostate and testicular.
A private room at the rink will be available for men to talk with a registered nurse about colon cancer screening. The nurse will help determine if they are eligible for the FOBT and give out this take-home test to those who qualify.
“We’re focussing on men’s health at this event because men have a tendency to put off seeing their healthcare provider until they’re experiencing symptoms,” said Dr. Montour. “This needs to change. We want men to be proactive by staying up-to-date with cancer screening. By catching signs of cancer early instead of waiting until they have symptoms, they’ll have more treatment options.”
The Mobile Cancer Screening Coach will also be parked at the arena to provide screening services for eligible women. Mammograms are available for women ages 50 to 74 through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) and Pap tests for women ages 21 to 69 through the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP).The Coach’s registered nurses can distribute the FOBT kit.
Former NHL player and community member Stan Jonathan will be onsite to sign autographs. There will be interactive games, free giveaways and prizes for all ages. As well, everyone will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win Toronto Maple Leafs tickets.
This health promotion event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone interested in receiving a cancer screening test should bring their Health Card to the rink.
For more information about this event, please contact:
Glenn Checkley
Aboriginal Outreach Coordinator
Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program
(905)-521-2100, ext. 64316
checkleyg@hhsc.ca
To arrange media coverage, please contact:
Lise Diebel
Promotion/Communications Coordinator
Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program
Cell: 905-741-6317
diebel@hhsc.ca