More than 50 team members from across the hospital and community partners came together for the annual Cancer Screening for Black Women event.
On July 25, 2024, the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) hosted its third annual event, Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening for Black Women.
Aimed at building trust and breaking barriers for Black women, who have historically been under-screened for breast and cervical cancer in Canada, the event provided a safe space for culturally-informed care. This year, the highest record of patient attendees was reached. Fifty-seven women attended the event – 39 received a pap test, 42 received a mammogram, and eight patients received an ultrasound. For the first time, risk assessments for lung cancer were available to those eligible under the Ontario Lung Screening Program.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, TAIBU Community Health Centre, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre, The Olive Branch of Hope, and for the first time with the University Health Network (UHN). The event included arts activities, mindfulness and yoga, blood pressure assessments, meals and refreshments, and cultural music.
“This initiative is important because it provides a positive, pleasant and trust-building experience for women. Mammograms and pap smears can be uncomfortable for many and very upsetting and triggering for some. We wanted to make a space where people leave smiling and feel appreciated,” shares Dr. Aisha Lofters, medical director of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at WCH.
“To help create such a space, we provided individual patient navigators, allowed ample time for screening appointments, and had providers who are trained in cultural competence and trauma-informed care. I also would emphasize that WCH staff of all ethnicities and genders were involved in making this day a success,” adds Dr. Lofters.
Patient navigators played a critical role in ensuring patients felt comfortable and supported throughout the event, building upon a model of care that is relational, rather than transactional. This approach allowed patients to ask questions and build trust, which positively influenced their interactions in their appointments as well.
“My experience today was amazing. I was nervous when I came but the staff have been really nice and helpful, and I’m very grateful,” says Gacheri, a participant who learned of the event through a WhatsApp group of Kenyans in Toronto. “I found that the use of navigators to show you around was really helpful. They helped me to relax and the nurses were amazing – they took their time to explain to you what they’re going to do and what to expect – it was a great experience.”
Left to right: Natalie Tynan-Baldassarra, administrative and patient flow supervisor, Gynecology and Angella Lakhan, surgical secretary, who played the role of a patient navigator
Angella Lakhan, surgical secretary at WCH who played the role of a patient navigator shares, “It’s important to me to help patients in the Black community who are underserved. The patients I had today were very appreciative and thankful for the service.”
“One patient in particular – she wanted me to go in with her and hold her hand while she was having her pap test. She didn’t want me to leave the room. This is because she had a bad experience before, but the experience today has changed her outlook, and she is more comfortable going to the doctor. I’m very happy to help her!” adds Angella.
