THUNDER BAY – Inuit in Canada have much higher rates of cancer incidence and death than the rest of the population. They also have low cancer knowledge and understanding. That’s why the Canadian Cancer Society partnered with Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada to provide easy-to-understand and culturally appropriate resources for this population. The partnership is funded by Jaguar Land Rover Canada (JLR). The long-term goal is to increase awareness and understanding of cancer among Inuit and improve health outcomes.
Today, Pauktuutit is excited to launch Inuusinni Aqqusaaqtara – My Journey. This practical new guide, which can be found in the resources section of our Inuusinni Aqqusaaqtara – My Journey website, includes two booklets for Inuit living with cancer.
Booklet one topics include:
- I have been diagnosed with cancer. Now what?
- Talking about cancer with family and friends
- What is cancer?
- Your treatment options
- Meet your healthcare team
- Going to an urban cancer centre for treatment
- Make healthy lifestyle choices
- Life after cancer treatment
Booklet two, a personal journal, includes:
- My personal bill of rights
- My diagnosis
- Questions for my healthcare team
- My support team
- Blank journal pages
- My treatment plan
- My appointments
- List of medicines
- Monthly calendar
The booklets contain Inuit-specific cancer resources that are medically accurate, culturally and linguistically appropriate and accessible to Inuit cancer patients and their families, friends and healthcare providers. The booklets have been translated into three dialects of Inuktitut so far – North Baffin, Nunavik and Inuinnaqtun – and will be distributed to the five urban cancer centres (Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and St John’s) that Inuit from the North travel to for cancer care. These new resources ensure that, like all Canadians, Inuit have access to accurate cancer information. They will have a lasting impact on Inuit today and for generations to come.
