Eastern Health, in partnership with Labrador Grenfell-Health and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), has developed a video for new cancer patients. Beginning Your Cancer Journey: An Introduction to Cancer Services in Newfoundland and Labrador, was produced to assist new cancer patients understand and navigate services offered by the provincial Cancer Care Program.

Although developed for all new cancer care patients, the video was designed to be of particular support for the province’s Indigenous population, who often must travel considerable distances and overcome language and cultural barriers during their cancer journey. It recognizes the unique challenges they face, and establishes a valuable link between remote communities in Labrador and care providers at both Labrador-Grenfell Health and Eastern Health.

The video traces a couple’s journey from diagnosis to treatment, featuring interviews with patients (including Indigenous) and patient navigators – and highlights the importance of the relationship between patients and their health-care providers throughout the cancer journey. ■

This article was submitted by Deborah Collins, a communications manager with Eastern health, based in St. John’s.