Advancing Equitable Cancer Care for Incarcerated Populations

An estimated 40,000 individuals are imprisoned in Canadian correctional facilities at any time. Incarcerated people, often individuals from marginalized populations, bear an unequal burden of cancer because they experience chronic disabilities, mental health concerns and substance use disorders. Increased risk factors also include family violence, childhood abuse, housing insecurity, lack of education, low-income status, high rates of suicide, high-risk sexual behaviors, and physical injuries. Despite international recognition of the importance of palliative and cancer care as a shared universal right, a health equity gap exists between the general and carceral populations in Canada. Incarcerated people face significant health inequities before, during and post incarceration. 

This project aims to address BC Cancer’s goal of promoting high-quality cancer services that are    equitable, accessible, and respectful for all British Columbians. 

The specific objective is to provide evidence-based recommendations for advancing equitable cancer care for incarcerated populations in BC by examining barriers in access to cancer treatment and care.  

End of Award Update – September 2024

Results

During the Fellowship, I conducted an environmental scan of Canadian literature and 11 interviews with oncology leaders and healthcare providers to understand how justice-involved people in the province access and receive cancer care.

Impact

Not applicable, as the analysis is still underway.

Potential Influence

The results of this project can inform policy and practices related to access and quality of health care for justice-involved people who live with life-limiting illnesses. Driven by my findings, the health care provided behind and beyond bars can become increasingly proactive, preventative, and encapsulating various stages of one’s health trajectory.

Next Steps

The research conducted within the Fellowship will inform my doctoral dissertation. Further research will focus on understanding how justice-involved individuals access and receive palliative care when faced with life-limiting illnesses. The findings from both studies will be submitted for publication. In addition, I will disseminate the study’s results using the BC Center for Palliative Care ECHO model.