Scarborough Health Network (SHN) hosted nearly 100 participants for the Filipino Breast Health and Awareness Workshop on September 28, in partnership with Scarborough Ontario Health Team, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Toronto Central Regional Cancer Program, Central East Regional Cancer Program, Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, and Kababayan Multicultural Centre.
OMNI News Filipino covered the workshop, capturing the excellent turnout and warm community feeling that came with the event, which was held at Centenary Hospital and featured same-day screening mammograms, cultural music, dancing and wellness activities, goodie bags, and much more. Most impactful, however, were the panels comprised of subject matter experts and patients with lived experience. Participants were afforded the opportunity to ask questions about breast health screening, cancer care, and cultural de-stigmatization in a safe and inclusive environment.
OMNI interviewed Joanne Fernandes, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at SHN, who spoke to the importance of engaging Filipino communities to promote breast health awareness and screening due to the high incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer in Filipino communities.
The news segment also featured Dr. Nallapaneni, SHN general surgeon, and Dr. Christina Chingkoe, SHN radiologist, who were both expert panelists at the workshop. Dr. Nallapaneni offered valuable insights into studies showing that Filipino individuals tend to present larger and more advanced breast cancers than their North American counter parts. Speaking in Tagalog, Dr. Chingkoe reiterated her experiences working with Filipino breast cancer patients as a radiologist, and how early screening and detection is key to preserve the health of the Filipino community.