Mr. Speaker, return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ootes on February 2, 1998 on breast cancer screening programs, the department utilizes two prevention techniques. Primary prevention refers to interventions that will prevent the development of the disease. Known modifiable risk factors include diet, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.
The department has been actively involved in promoting the preservation of traditional diets and regular consumption of traditional foods. Fact sheets have been prepared and made available to all health centres and regional health promotion staff. EpiNorth, the departmental epidemiological newsletter, regularly includes information on this topic.
Tobacco smoke is also a strong risk factor for the development of breast cancer. The department actively encourages and supports its regional boards to target smoking as the most important health risk factor.
Secondary prevention focuses on finding the disease at the earliest possible stage and effectively treating it before it has caused illness or to prevent any further spread and threat to the overall health of the individual.
Screening against breast cancer, in appropriate populations, allows the disease to be found at an earlier stage when treatment is more likely to result in a cure. The components of a comprehensive breast cancer screening program include: 1) teaching all women breast self examination; 2) annual examination of the breasts by a trained health professional and 3) screening mammography, a special X-ray, for women in selected risk groups where benefits of mammography have been documented to offset the risks.
The department has, or is doing, the following secondary prevention initiatives:
- Breast cancer screening is incorporated into nursing practice standards for all health centres.
- Training for teaching breast self-examination and for performing clinical examinations of the breast have been provided through the Advanced Nursing Skills Inservice Program (ANSIP) since the beginning of the program.
- Resource materials and teaching tools to boards.
- Support was provided in 1990 for Stanton to develop its mammography service.
- Interim guidelines for mammography screening were provided to all boards and health professionals in 1995.
- Revised screening guidelines were submitted to the department in November, 1997, and distributed to all boards as well as the NWTMA in December. A workshop has been planned for March 13th, which will involve representatives from the various boards, as well as departmental staff to discuss implementation of these guidelines.
NWT breast cancer rates are still lower than elsewhere in Canada. The cancer registry reports no one having breast cancer from any of the Dogrib communities. Breast cancer in Inuit women over 50 also remains rare. It is important that we focus on primary prevention to maintain these rates at the lowest possible level for all coming generations. Thank you.