Learn more about how you can prevent cancer and support wellness for you and your loved ones.
February 4 is World Cancer Day, a day to raise awareness about cancer and its prevention. This year's theme—“I Am and I Will"—reminds each of us of the impact we have as individuals to support our own wellness and the wellness of our communities and loved ones.
Many cancers can be prevented through proactive screening and by living healthy lifestyles, including nurturing spirit, eating healthy, being active and respecting tobacco.
Learn more about how you can live well, from cancer prevention to cancer survivorship:
• Cancer Prevention: Visit fnha.ca/cancer to learn more about how to prevent cancer, and for information on how the FNHA is supporting Indigenous cancer journeys.
• Living Well With Cancer: The Living with Cancer: Everyone Deserves Support resource includes culturally appropriate and safe information on navigating the cancer journey, and shared stories from Indigenous people living with cancer.
• Trauma and Cancer Screening: For people who have experienced trauma, routine check-ups like cancer screening can be emotionally distressing experiences. If you are nervous or reluctant to get screened, remember that it's always okay to bring a friend or loved one with you to your appointment. Friends can also be a great resource to help you find a trusted health care provider. For more information on how to make your screening experiences less difficult, check out this blog post from FNHA's Dr. Nel Wieman and Dr. Unjali Malhotra on Sexual Health and Trauma.
• Cervical Cancer Awareness: January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Read this recent blog post from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, FNHA's Women's Health Physician, to get the facts on preventing cervical cancer.
• WATCH: Marion's Story: Health, Wellness and Cervical Cancer Screening: Marion Erickson from the Nak'azdli Whut'en Nation shared her story of getting screened for cervical cancer through a video interview with the FNHA and BC Cancer.
• Tobacco Timeout: Have you been thinking of quitting commercial tobacco? Tobacco Timeout is a 24-hr quit challenge for First Nations and Indigenous people in BC. Learn more here.
• First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC: On Jan. 6, 2020, Dr. Nadine Caron—Canada's first female First Nations general surgeon—was appointed as the founding Chair in Cancer and Wellness, a position dedicated to improving cancer outcomes and wellness among Indigenous people.
