CANCER PREVENTION & SCREENING:DELIVERING CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE IN PERTH COUNTY

Karen Bergin-Payette, Public Health Nurse

Project Purpose To balance culture, health and research in the

context of cancer prevention & screening To collaborate with community partners to

promote provincially approved screening programs related to the early detection of cancers for priority populations

Perth’s Cultural Community The Anabaptist Community is the largest cultural

community in Perth County Consists of a number of Amish and Mennonite

groups Comprises about 4% of Perth County’s population Mainly located Township of Perth East and the

Municipality of North Perth

Development of Intervention Cancer rates for this community are relatively

unknown Informed by face-to-face discussions with Old Order

Lay Leaders Individual home visits Group meetings over lunch

Formation of planning group Perth District Health Unit Family Health Teams Canadian Cancer Society South West Regional Cancer Program University of Toronto

Identified Barriers to Cancer Screening

Transportation Cost Weather Multiple appointments Childcare Self-care may not be a high family priority

Event Promotion

Women’s Health Event November 2012 – After canning & harvest

Old Order Amish and Mennonites with Listowel Family Health Team or Self-Paying

24 women attended

April 2013 – Prior to planting Old Order Amish with Milverton Family Health Team or

Self-Paying Old Order Amish from Bruce County 26 women attended (5 from Kincardine)

Schedule of Events Transportation (pick-up and drop-off at home) Blood tests - CBC, ferritin, lipid panel and fasting

glucose Breakfast and lunch provided Mammograms, Pap tests and women’s health

check-ups At-home colorectal cancer screening kits provided

(FOBT kit & requisition) Health education on cancer, healthy eating and

mental health Free time to shop in downtown Listowel

Participants Half women were under 50 years of age Most women decided to attend because of:

Women’s health check up (87%) Health teachings (69%) Cancer screening (53%)

Screening Test Uptake

Evaluation Results After teaching:

29% valued cancer screening the same as before 60% valued cancer screening more than before

When asked if they would attend another event: 78% agreed that they would attend another event 94% agreed that they would encourage other women to attend

When asked if this event made it easier to get screened: 85% agreed screening was made easier

Other topics of interest: Healthy Eating Heart Health Mental Health

Evaluation Results Results support effectiveness of Women’s Health Day Reached never screened population Partnered cancer screening with other health topics

(food safety, nutrition) Integrated prevention messaging Core values at the foundation of intervention been:

Relationship Fellowship Respect Humility Flexibility