2nd Edition Winter 2008 Way To Go BreastStrokes

Don McKenzie from the University of British Columbia has found through his research that repetitive upper-body exercise discourages lymphedema and improves the quality of life in women who have had breast cancer. The BreastStrokes team trains at Lake during warmer months and during the off-season team members continue to improve their fitness in the gym and pool at the University of Guelph. This team clearly demonstrates that breast cancer survivors are all winners and that there is ‘life after breast A local dragon boat team has made it their Dragon boating, the fastest growing team cancer’! mission to increase breast cancer awareness sport in the world, is a great way to build The University of Guelph – sponsored and to provide hope and support for those living camaraderie, find support and raise aware- BreastStrokes team was invited to compete in with the impact of breast cancer. The ness of important issues including breast the world dragon boat invitational held last BreastStrokes Dragon Boat team was formed in cancer. In addition to the many noted benefits 1998 when the Guelph and Wellington Breast of dragon boat racing it also offers many summer in Australia. Cancer Support Group decided to start paddling. unique benefits to breast cancer survivors. Dr. (Cont’d page 5) Welcome To The Second Issue The purpose of the newsletter is to provide linked to decreased risk of cancer; a forum for exchange of cancer prevention Wellington - Dufferin - Guelph world record World Record Walk Gets People and screening efforts in the Waterloo walk gets people in motion; Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program and Wellington Breast Cancer Care Pathway Map Of All Ages in motion!2 beyond. wins Avon Award; a collaborative venture Enhance Your Cancer Cancer Care (CCO) states that puts additional shade into school yards to Prevention Knowledge 2 approximately 50% of cancers that will be reduce UV exposure and local dragon boat diagnosed by the year 2020 can either be team competes in Australia. Also, a Chinese The Cultural Meaning prevented or detected early, before they physician offers her perspective on some of Cancer 3 become a serious health problem. cultural differences between Canadians and Chinese, and the meaning of Cancer. Community Care for Since the Cancer 2020 Action Plan was Finally, congratulations to the Waterloo Cancer Care 4 released in 2003, many advances in preven- tion and early detection have been made. By Wellington Network’s successful proposal in Healthy Foods Ads 5 taking action on prevention and early detec- CCO’s Primary Prevention of Colorectal tion, the burden of cancer and other chronic Cancer Request for Proposal. Local Team Wins Avon Award 5 diseases will be reduced, increase the quali- Please provide us with your feedback on Shade Workshop Held in ty of citizen’s life and reduce the costs of our newsletter. Let us know of topics you’d Centre Wellington 6 cancer services. like to see in future issues. In this issue, Cancer Care Ontario’s radio For an electronic copy of this and the past Mark Your Calendar 6 ads say eating fruits and vegetables are newsletter, visit: www.grandriverhospital.on.ca Organizing Committee

Newsletter of the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program

Members:

Laurie Hoffman-Goetz, PhD, MPH

Professor

Department of Health Studies & Gerontology

University of Waterloo World Record Walk Gets People Of All Ages in motion! Ted Mavor, MSW, RSW On October 3rd, 2007, 160,048 citizens of 21,608 residents got in motion, participating Coordinator all ages from across Ontario left their foot- at various launch sites and walk sites prints in the world record books by walking throughout the region including schools, Cancer Prevention & Early Detection one kilometre at the same time. Canada’s recreation centres, and workplaces. Waterloo Wellington Regional Program overall total was 231,635 participating citi- The in motion Strategy was developed in zens, which means that Canada walked—or Saskatoon with great success, and has now Jennifer McCorriston, MSc, BKin perhaps trampled—right over Western been adapted to meet the needs of Australia’s record of 100,915. This is quite an Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) residents. Health Promotion Specialist accomplishment, as the total distance walked WDG in motion is a collaborative project with that day by participating Canadians is equal more then 16 partners from across the region Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health to circling the globe almost six times! including the City of Guelph, the County of The world record walk also kicked off a new Wellington, the Towns of Erin, Minto, Mono, Jane Stacey, MRT(R), CBI, ARDMS health promotion strategy in Wellington, and Orangeville, the Townships of Centre Waterloo Wellington OBSP Regional Dufferin and Guelph called in motion that Wellington, Wellington North, Guelph/ aims to increase the physical activity levels of Eramosa, and Mapleton, along with the Coordinator all area residents. The message was clear YMCA-YWCA of Guelph, the University of across the region that walking is an exciting Guelph, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Don Stewart, BASc, MD way to not only achieve world records, but the Ministry of Health Promotion. Physician also a healthier, happier, and more active For more information on the in motion lifestyle! In Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, strategy, please visit www.wdginmotion.ca Woolwich Community Health Centre

St. Jacobs Enhance Your Cancer health informatics, health communication, and environmental health sciences. Prevention Knowledge Carla Parkinson, BSc The MPH program will appeal to practition- The University of Waterloo offers a Master ers working in cancer education, cancer pre- Master of Social Work Intern of Public Health (MPH) degree program, vention, and early detection wishing to upgrade Wilfrid Laurier University through the Department of Health Studies and their public health training on a part-time or Gerontology, in the Faculty of Applied Health full-time basis. The curriculum is course- based with an applied practicum. The pro- Sciences (AHS). Responding to a widely rec- The organizing committee assumes no ognized need for more advanced public health gram’s initial and final courses are delivered on responsibility for opinions, claims, training opportunities in Canada, the program UW campus in two-week blocks. The remain- draws on existing strengths in AHS in health ing seven core graduate courses and three endorsements, representations and statements behaviour and population health promotion, (Cont’d page 3) made by the contributing writers.

2 | The Cancer Prevention Exchange The Cultural Meaning of Cancer: Differences between Canadians and Chinese

Disclaimer: This is one opinion from Dr Xu Wang, and best way to inform the actual patient and gain patients prefer more radical treatment. For may not represent the opinions of all Chinese Canadian satisfactory compliance with therapy. example, one study has found that Chinese- individuals. A second difference between Canadian and American women are more likely to be treated Canada’s ethnic diversity can be a chal- Chinese people is their knowledge of accessi- with surgery that removes the entire breast lenge to health care professionals who have bility to and use of cancer prevention and and a portion of the underarm lymph nodes to develop culturally sensitive health care screening programs in their own country. As (also known as modified radical mastecto- strategies, especially in the field of cancer is well known, disease prevention is even my), regardless of age or stage of disease, prevention and treatment. more important than disease treatment. Since rather than breast-conserving treatment. For China is a large developing country, it is very For the past several years, China has been terminally ill patients, Chinese are more likely among the top five countries for immigration difficult to provide every resident with free to try alternative treatments. to Canada. Although the extraordinary growth health care. The present health care system in China’s economy has connected China can only cover part of the expense. Cancer In conclusion, developing awareness about with the rest of the world, there are still a screening tests, such as breast mammogra- cross-cultural practices regarding cancer number of different cancer beliefs between phy or cervical Pap smear, are not free and issues will allow Canadian clinicians to Chinese and Canadian people. are actually quite expensive for people who become more sensitive to the expectations of need to be tested. In addition, most medical First, Chinese are very fearful of a cancer culturally and individually diverse cancer resources are still used for treatment of dis- diagnosis. For most Chinese, getting cancer patients. This awareness may affect patient ease rather than prevention. In contrast, is similar to receiving a death sentence. Since Canada’s health care system is very much and family responses in different clinical situ- there is no religious death culture in China, dedicated to cancer prevention and early ations, potentially affecting patient satisfaction death is a very horrible thing because there is detection. The new HPV vaccine for young and compliance with therapy. no hope for an afterlife. Chinese are also women is a good example of expanded can- afraid of cancer because most cancers are in Submitted by: Xu Wang, M.D. cer prevention and early detection pro- the final stage when they are diagnosed due [email protected] grammes. The Ontario Breast Screening to poor prevention and lack of early detection. Program accepts any new residents of People are then led to believe that cancer is Ontario for free breast screening; women over ENHANCE (from page 2) untreatable. In addition, there is a lack of the age of 50 may self refer even if they don’t patient education in China. Research has elective graduate courses are provided have a family physician. Since not every new shown that poorly educated Chinese immi- through web-based distance education. The immigrant has a family doctor, education grants in the U.S. still believe that cancer is practicum requirement is completed over a about cancer prevention and screening contagious. Even in large cities in China, 12- to 16-week period after completion of the becomes important. where the medical treatment of cancer is required coursework. advanced and standardized, patients still Regarding the opinion of cancer treatment, The degree can be completed full-time in know very little about their disease. This may there is also quite a difference between just under two years or part-time in four be because doctors are too busy to spend Canadian and Chinese people. In Canada, the years. Students may take the general MPH or time explaining the illness to patients, but also type of treatment is most often decided by because patients themselves have a difficult the physician and patient, whereas in China specialize in sociobehavioural aspects of pub- time understanding and accepting their condi- the family’s opinion is more important. lic health, focusing on health promotion and tion. Once a patient finds out that they have Chinese physicians appear to give far greater disease prevention (including cancer preven- cancer, they become upset and feel hopeless. weight to family preference in medical deci- tion). With core courses including foundations Some will even refuse treatment because they sion making than do Canadian physicians. of public health, environmental health, public don’t want to become a burden to their family. This phenomenon may be due to the fact that health and society, health and risk communi- Although it is believed that cancer patients the relationship between parents and children cation, health policy, biostatistics and epi- should be informed of their diagnosis and the are closer in China than in Canada. Chinese demiology, the MPH would be very useful to terminal nature of their illness, it is for these children have the responsibility to take care of practitioners in cancer education, cancer pre- reasons that Chinese physicians prefer to tell their parents when their parents become old vention, and early detection. the diagnosis to family members first rather and ill. As a result, family members’ financial than the patients. Based on how well the con- situation and their preferences play an impor- For more information visit: versation with the patient’s family members tant role in the patient’s medical decision www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/hsg/mp goes, the physician will be able to find the making. Another difference is that Chinese or contact: [email protected]

The Cancer Prevention Exchange | 3 4 | The Cancer Prevention Exchange Local Team Wins Avon Award Congratulations to the Breast Cancer Care Pathway Map team, who have won a $5,000 national award with Avon Canada! Over 1,000 entries from across Canada were submitted to the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund. Entries were required to present unique ways to empower women and girls and to improve society through breast cancer community service, awareness or outreach programs. submitted a proposal to Avon for a Breast “Financial support from Avon’s Hello The Breast Cancer Care Pathway team (see Cancer Care Pathway Map to ensure that Tomorrow Fund will allow us to develop, print photo) is made up of representatives from St. women have easy access to all of the commu- and distribute this pictorial map to the Mary’s General Hospital, Guelph General nity care and support information needed to women of our region and beyond,” said Hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, navigate their journey with breast cancer. The Helen Martini, registered nurse at Guelph Hospital, Waterloo Wellington pictorial map, currently under development, General Hospital. “Our Breast Cancer Care Community Care Access Centre, and various will be available for every woman in Waterloo Pathway team recognizes the anxiety and community support partners. Together they Wellington diagnosed with breast cancer. fear that accompanies a diagnosis of breast cancer. The goal of the map is to reduce Healthy Foods Ads some of this anxiety and fear by clearly iden- tifying the path that a woman may take on XM Satellite Radio (XM) approached Cancer and other interested health organizations for her breast cancer journey and the supports Care Ontario and offered to assist in the devel- use in social marketing. that are available for her in the community.” opment of health messages related to the pre- The Waterloo Wellington Cancer Prevention The regional Breast Cancer Care Pathway vention and detection of cancer in Ontario. and Screening Network selected one mes- team looks forward to introducing the finished Cancer Care Ontario and the Canadian sage relating to men and one for parents. Breast Cancer Care Pathway Map early in Cancer Society (Ontario Division), together The two 30-second radio ads were: 2008, and will provide education to the com- with regional partners, developed six catchy munity on how to use this valuable resource radio ads educating Ontarians about the value “Video Game” – for parents: Highlights the tool currently being developed. of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and to importance of setting a good example by encourage them to eat more fruits and veg- eating well ourselves so we can help our Submitted by: Jane Stacey, OBSP Regional etables. This social marketing campaign was kids grow up strong & healthy. Coordinator, Waterloo Wellington focused among men (18-44 yrs), women “Size” – for men: Clarifies the myth of a (18-44 yrs) and parents with school-aged “serving size” and promotes the fact that BREASTSTROKES (from page 1) children. five to ten servings of vegetables and fruits There were 2000 breast cancer survivors, for men are doable. The radio campaign was piloted in the 90 teams and a bunch of 45-foot-long boats Greater Toronto Area, Windsor and Thunder These were aired three times a day start- in the Australian event. Bay. It was then evaluated to assess aware- ing October 29th to November 24th, 2007 The Guelph team members that attended the ness of and reaction to the campaign, and on K-W and Guelph radio stations, plus radio invitational range in age from 30 to 83, and a also to determine the impact of the campaign stations on the three university campuses majority are part of the University community. on attitudes and behaviour related to the con- and Conestoga College. sumption of vegetables and fruits. Overall, the Feedback on the ad campaign indicated it Coach Pat Richards has seen a steady radio ads performed well, were well-received was successful in creating awareness & atti- improvement in the team over the years. by the marketplace, and were instrumental in tudes among listeners as well as noting some They can cover the standard 500 metre changing attitudes and behaviour toward the improvement in behaviors regarding vegetable course in three to four minutes, and recently consumption of vegetables and fruits. and fruit consumption as reported by listeners. won their division in Stratford. The health messages were then produced To listen to the radio ads, go to For more information visit: and packaged by XM for Cancer Care http://www.cancercare.on.ca/print/index_ http://www.breaststrokes.org/ Ontario, and were disseminated to regional dietAndhealthyBodyweight.htm (under the Submitted by Liz Aubin, Masters of Public cancer prevention and screening networks Vegetable & Fruit Radio PSAS heading) Health Student.

The Cancer Prevention Exchange | 5 SShhaaddee WWoorrkksshhoopp HHeelldd iinn CCeennttrree WWeelllliinnggttoonn Mark Your Calendar

March 19, 2008 “Cancer Prevention in Chinese” Richard Yung-Che Weng, M.D. , Auditorium 6:30 to 8:45 pm

A highly successful joint venture was add shady areas to current yards. Glenna April 15, 2008 recently held in Centre Wellington to promote Rogers and Jennifer McCorriston from the “Smart Eating and Cancer Prevention: the addition of shade to schoolyards to help WDGPH presented information on the risks of How to protect your health through quick reduce UV exposure as well as providing childhood skin cancer and the need for starting and easy mealtime recipes” more welcoming play environments. A com- good lifelong sun safety habits. Dietitian mittee made up of members of NeighbourWoods, Wellington County Museum and Archives The participants were inspired by the pre- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health 6:30 to 8:45 pm sentation to go back to their schools to begin (WDGPH) and the School Boards met greening their own schoolyard. There was an April 16, 2008 throughout the summer to plan a workshop added incentive of two hours of Wendland’s “Oral Cancers” for school personnel. consulting time and $300 of plant material to Sofia Vaqar, Dentist Dennis Wendland, a retired teacher and now be won by a lucky school. Kitchener Public Library, Hamblin Room Evergreen consultant, presented new and 6:30 to 8:45 pm The selected school was Ross R. MacKay exciting ideas to revitalize school grounds, April 29, 2008 which have been based on a military model of located in Hillsburgh, Ontario. buildings, tarmac and grass for more than 50 The workshop was funded by the Grand “Community Fair for Cancer Care” years. Adding rocks, trees and mulch can River Conservation Authority Foundation, (See page 4 for details) improve the schoolyard climate by providing Fergus Horticultural Society, Grand River Guelph Holiday Inn more inviting places for all children to play. Regional Cancer Centre (Waterloo Wellington 6:30 to 9:00 pm In total, 51 people including teachers, admin- Regional Cancer Program) and Wellington- May 14, 2008 istrators and school council members from Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “Preventing Cancer Through Diet” both elementary and high schools learned how Authors: Jean Loney, Volunteer, NeighbourWoods Margaret Chappell, RD; Janine to incorporate low-cost and effective ways to & Toni Ellis, Director, NeighbourWoods Robertson, RD Kitchener Public Library, Auditorium Winning Proposal - in the submission of “WDG Web - Based 6:30 to 8:45 pm Nutrition & Physical Activity Program”. This May 27, 2008 Primary Prevention of project will act as an extension of the Live “Sun Safety” Well: Eat Healthy, Be Active program which is Colorectal Cancer Dr. K. Kobayashi currently run through WDG Public Health. It Kitchener Public Library, Auditorium In response to Cancer Care Ontario’s Primary will expand on the existing content of the pro- Prevention of Colorectal Cancer request for gram to develop a web - based nutrition and 6:30 to 8:45 pm Proposals, the Waterloo Wellington Regional physical activity education tool, in order to May 29, 2008 Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Network reach a greater number of individuals at risk “Sun Safety” was one of the six successful proposals to at a lower cost. Dr. K. Kobayashi receive this one time funding. To learn more e-mail: Guelph - Location to be determined Jennifer McCorriston, Project Manager, lead [email protected] 6:30 to 8:45 pm

6 | The Cancer Prevention Exchange Cancer Prevention Exchange Newsletter

Your opinion is important in improving the Please Let Us Know newsletter. What You Think! Simply fill out this survey and forward it to us. Thank you!

Where did you receive this newsletter?

YES NO Did you enjoy reading this newsletter? Was this newsletter informative and practical? Has this newsletter been helpful to you?

Were there any sections that you particularly enjoyed reading? If so, please list below: ______

Was there anything that you felt was missing? ______

YES NO Was the newsletter easy to read and understandable?

If no, can you please tell us about anything that slowed down the reading or made the newsletter difficult for you to understand. ______

YES NO Do you have any suggestions for future newsletters?

If yes, please list below suggested future topics or revisions to the newsletter: ______

Excellent Very Good Good Adequate Poor Please rate the overall presentation (for example, colours and use of pictures) of the newsletter Please rate the overall content of the newsletter

Please Return to: Ted Mavor Fax: 519-749-4255 c/o Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 9056 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1G3