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Women in Thompson help create resources regarding breast cancer awareness

Six women in Thompson were celebrated on Mar. 1, for their help with a project put on by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Breastcheck.
Brandy Pantel Feb 2015
Brandy Pantel, third from left, stands beside Thompson residents who helped create resources regarding breast cancer and the need for screenings.

Six women in Thompson were celebrated on Mar. 1, for their help with a project put on by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Breastcheck. “There is a group of women here in Thompson who have participated, came together, took a look at the resources we have for breast cancer screening, and really gave their input to what those resources need to look like in order to support First Nations women,” explained Brandy Pantel, who works for Breastcheck.

The Prairie Northwest Territories region received a grant to work in three different areas in Manitoba in order to create different resources women can use when speaking about breast cancer. “The resources were the end result, but the true gold was bringing women together to talk about cancer. Those conversations are really difficult to have and to bring people together and go to through that process together has been really fantastic.”

Thompson residents created a brochure with frequently asked questions, and the answers. There was also a poster made with the same painting done by an artist from Norway House. The final resource made was a toolkit with the help of Grand Rapids, Peguis, Sioux Valley and Long Plain. Split Lake, Lac Brochet, and Shamattawa were also part of these discussions.

Pantel says screening for breast cancer begins for women over the age of 50, but 20 per cent of breast cancer is found in people under the age of 50, with one per cent being found in men. “If a woman has a family history, so mother, sister, daughter, or multiple members on the same side of the family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly prior to menopause, those women are no longer average risk. She might need to screen earlier and that is a conversation with their family doctor.”

These conversations about what needs to change in First Nation communities happened because Breastcheck and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation both know screening availability is a problem aboriginal people are facing. “In First Nations population we know that the stage of diagnosis is typically later as compared to other Manitobans so the outcomes aren’t as good. That makes cancer really scary because if all you’ve known is someone getting really sick and passing away, why would you want to find out you have cancer?”

During discussions in Thompson the biggest concern was making screening available for First Nations people, and for northern communities. Pantel says they have a mobile breast screening site van that tours around to help people get screened.

“I think there’s a lot of fear but there is a lot of strength in these communities. There are a lot of strong voices in these women that are coming together at a great time to make some change.” Pantel continued by saying these resources for cancer care workers and women are the result of a community development project. “This project belongs to the women, it doesn’t belong to me.”

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