The Indigenous Cancer Program (ICP) supports Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) patients and families accessing Cancer Care in Toronto. Supporting Indigenous people in cancer care is important because Indigenous peoples experience barriers to culturally safe care and continue to experience racism when accessing health care services which can be traumatic. Indigenous peoples also have higher cancer rates from the negative effects of colonization.
o reduce the barriers and traumatic experiences in the health care system, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) developed a First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous Cancer Strategy. This included the creation of the ICPs with the roles of an Indigenous Patient Navigator, Regional Indigenous Program Coordinator and Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead.
The ICP works within the Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program and collaboratively with the:
Two Cancer Centres:
- Princess Margaret
- Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Program Hospitals:
- Michael Garron Hospital
- Sinai Health Systems and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital
- Unity Health Toronto (St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Health)
- University Health Network (Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and Toronto Rehab)
- Women’s College Hospital
If you are Indigenous and receiving cancer care such as:
- Screening
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Survivorship
- Palliative and End of Life Care
and, if you need support in your cancer journey, Leonard Benoit, the Indigenous Patient Navigator, can support you and your family by providing support and advocacy through:
- Access to cultural and spiritual needs
- Answering questions about what to expect with appointments or tests
- Attending patients’ appointments
- Speaking to your cancer care providers about your needs
Patients, families and healthcare providers are welcome to contact Leonard Benoit directly by phone at 647-309-1794 or by email at mailto: Leonard.Benoit2@uhn.ca
To learn more about the ICP, you can visit our website at https://www.trcp.ca/en/indigenous-cancer-program, or you can contact the Regional Indigenous Program Coordinator, Muriel Lopez, by email at Muriel.Lopez@rmp.uhn.ca
