Breadcrumb
Indigenous Cancer Care
Interior Health’s Indigenous Partnerships team works alongside our Indigenous Partners to improve health outcomes for Indigenous and Métis people living in the interior.

Preparing for cancer screening or treatment appointments
When preparing for your cancer screening or treatment appointments, you may want to:
- Talk to a trusted health-care provider before your appointment to ask them any questions you may have
- Prepare for the appointment by using cultural or traditional health practices, like smudging, brushing or participating in ceremony
- Connect with a trusted Elder or cultural wellness provider
- Bring a friend or family member to your appointment
- Practice relaxation or breathing exercises
- Ask a second staff member to be in the room with you
- Plan a celebration for, and after, your appointment
Additionally, some Community Health Centres may have screening options or mobile screening events available. You can inquire with your Community Health Centre for more information.
Supports available for Indigenous People
First Nations Health Authority:
- Information on comprehensive mental health plan
- List of mental health and cultural supports
- First Nations health benefits mental health provider list
HealthLink BC
Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs) support Indigenous patients at many hospitals who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. They can assist you throughout your cancer journey, including helping with the preparation steps listed above.
Each BC Cancer Centre across the province has a dedicated IPN to support patients who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. These navigators provide services to patients directly linked to their specific BC Cancer Centre.
Resources available for Indigenous People
There are many resources available via the First Nations Health Authority across the cancer continuum, from prevention and screening to treatment and recovery.
- Cancer information & resources directory
- Living with Cancer: Everyone Deserves Support: Provides culturally appropriate and safe information on patient rights and navigating the cancer journey. This information is told through the stories of Indigenous cancer patients and their families who have experienced a cancer journey.
- Living with Cancer: A resource to support First Nations people in BC on their cancer journey: Based on the earlier publication above (Living with Cancer: Everyone Deserves Support), this booklet provides information about the people and organizations that can support you, along with personal insights shared by First Nations individuals who have experienced (or are currently navigating) a cancer journey.
- Cancer and First Nations Peoples in BC: A Community Resource: Provides an overview of cancer incidence and survival for First Nations people in BC, information on preventing cancer, and cancer related community resources.
- Resources for Individuals and Families
- First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day: This unique service, available to all First Nations people and their families in BC, includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry and health-care professionals trained in cultural safety and humility.


SCHF supports 100 Mile House & District General Hospital and health facilities, health projects, and the well-being of health-care providers & patients.
/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-south-cariboo-health-foundation


Thanks to a collaboration between Lillooet Hospital and School District 74, several local Lillooet students got a closer look into health care as a profession.
/stories/lillooet-secondary-students-get-head-start-health-care-careers


Nida has long felt called to pursue a communications position in health care. Today, she’s honoured and feels extremely thankful to be living her dream.
/stories/we-are-ih-communications-consultant-learns-and-grows-every-day


A new program in IH emergencies invites patients to share information about their relationship to alcohol, normalizing conversations and creating a safe space.
/stories/new-alcohol-screening-questions-eds-connect-patients-care


Connect with Jade Chaboyer-Kondra to learn more about what inspires her, meaningful experiences she’s had throughout her career, and her life outside of work.
/stories/we-are-ih-indigenous-engagement-lead-values-holding-space


If you're uncomfortable with your relationship to alcohol, we offer a detox program that's done from home. Learn more about outpatient withdrawal management.
/stories/get-help-alcohol-use-privacy-your-home
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!
