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2SLGBTQ Health In Focus Episode 5: Cancer Screening and 2SLGBTQ+ Communities 

2SLGBTQ Health In Focus is a podcast from Rainbow Health Ontario where we talk to experts in the field and share knowledge about health and health care systems and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. 

In Episode 5, our guests share some key facts and tips regarding routine cancer screenings for 2SLGBTQ+ folks. Why are 2SLGBTQ+ people less likely to be screened for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers? Why are they more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage? And what factors for resiliency do we see?  Listen to find out more.  

Our podcast was recorded on traditional territories of many Indigenous nations, including: 

  • Toronto (Tkaronto): Treaty 13 territory. The Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat 
  • Ottawa (Odawa/Adàwe): Unceded territory of Algonquin Anishnaabeg 
  • London (Deshkan Ziibi or Asskunessiipi): Area of many treaties including Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.  Traditional territory of the   Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron.
  • Sudbury (N’Swakomok): Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. Traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnaabeg.

We acknowledge these, and any other Nations who care for the land–acknowledged and unacknowledged, recorded and unrecorded. These territories are still home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to record these stories for the people who call these lands home today. 

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Guests

Dr. Aisha Lofters is a scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute (WCRI), adjunct senior scientist at ICES, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the Medical Director at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at Women’s College Hospital in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society. She also holds a CIHR Applied Public Health Chair in Advancing Health Equity in Cancer Prevention and Screening. Her research program focusses on improving quality of care in cancer screening and prevention, particularly for populations that experience marginalization, through a variety of methods including community-partnered approaches. 

Dr. Kathryn Pfaff is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Nursing at the University of Windsor, and a registered nurse.  Her 37-year nursing career spans interest and practice in acute care, community care, and the academic sectors. Kathy’s research is broadly centered on evaluating the implementation and impacts of compassionate models of healthcare delivery, particularly those that support people experiencing vulnerabilities and marginalization. Kathy co-developed Ontario’s Compassionate Community framework and is a core principal member of the WE-SPARK Health Institute and the Health and Wellness Friendly Community Research Consortium. 

Special thanks to Spencer, Rita and Rie for sharing their cancer screening experiences with us.  

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