Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada

Abstract Background Breast and cervical cancer rates among Métis people in Canada are higher than non-Indigenous people but the impact of cancer screening is uncertain. This study investigated breast and cervical cancer screening participation, retention, and follow-up care among age-eligible Métis...

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Main Authors: Michelle L. Aktary, Reagan Bartel, Ashton James, June Kima, Amanda Andrew, Angeline Letendre, Chinmoy Rahul, Bonnie Chiang, James Newsome, Huiming Yang, Karen A. Kopciuk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03799-9
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author Michelle L. Aktary
Reagan Bartel
Ashton James
June Kima
Amanda Andrew
Angeline Letendre
Chinmoy Rahul
Bonnie Chiang
James Newsome
Huiming Yang
Karen A. Kopciuk
author_facet Michelle L. Aktary
Reagan Bartel
Ashton James
June Kima
Amanda Andrew
Angeline Letendre
Chinmoy Rahul
Bonnie Chiang
James Newsome
Huiming Yang
Karen A. Kopciuk
author_sort Michelle L. Aktary
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Breast and cervical cancer rates among Métis people in Canada are higher than non-Indigenous people but the impact of cancer screening is uncertain. This study investigated breast and cervical cancer screening participation, retention, and follow-up care among age-eligible Métis people living in Alberta compared to their non-Métis counterparts from 2006 to 2022. Methods Data from the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA) Identification Registry were linked to the Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs, and the Alberta Cancer Registry for the years 2006 to 2022. Relative and absolute differences in rates, percentages, and means/medians were calculated between Métis and non-Métis people, including age-eligible females, people with a cervix, and people who have taken gender-affirming hormones for five or more years. Trends were assessed using suitable Joinpoint models. Results Métis and non-Métis people had similar breast and cervical cancer screening participation and retention rates. However, the time between abnormal cancer screening results and follow-up tests was longer for Métis people compared to non-Métis people. Métis people had higher proportions of abnormal cytology test results, and more were diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer (p = 0.06) than non-Métis people. There were no differences in breast cancer stage at diagnosis. Conclusion Ongoing collaboration between the MNA and Screening Programs will build on evidence from the current study to support cancer screening programs and services for all Métis people in Alberta.
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spelling doaj-art-cc360ebff686405c88966437b04696a12025-08-20T01:53:25ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-05-0125111310.1186/s12905-025-03799-9Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, CanadaMichelle L. Aktary0Reagan Bartel1Ashton James2June Kima3Amanda Andrew4Angeline Letendre5Chinmoy Rahul6Bonnie Chiang7James Newsome8Huiming Yang9Karen A. Kopciuk10Faculty of Kinesiology, University of CalgaryDepartment of Health, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA)Department of Health, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA)Department of Health, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA)Department of Health, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA)Cancer Prevention & Screening Innovation, Provincial, Population and Public Health, Alberta Health ServicesDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics, University of CalgaryScreening Programs, Alberta Health ServicesScreening Programs, Alberta Health ServicesScreening Programs, Alberta Health ServicesDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics, University of CalgaryAbstract Background Breast and cervical cancer rates among Métis people in Canada are higher than non-Indigenous people but the impact of cancer screening is uncertain. This study investigated breast and cervical cancer screening participation, retention, and follow-up care among age-eligible Métis people living in Alberta compared to their non-Métis counterparts from 2006 to 2022. Methods Data from the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta (MNA) Identification Registry were linked to the Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs, and the Alberta Cancer Registry for the years 2006 to 2022. Relative and absolute differences in rates, percentages, and means/medians were calculated between Métis and non-Métis people, including age-eligible females, people with a cervix, and people who have taken gender-affirming hormones for five or more years. Trends were assessed using suitable Joinpoint models. Results Métis and non-Métis people had similar breast and cervical cancer screening participation and retention rates. However, the time between abnormal cancer screening results and follow-up tests was longer for Métis people compared to non-Métis people. Métis people had higher proportions of abnormal cytology test results, and more were diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer (p = 0.06) than non-Métis people. There were no differences in breast cancer stage at diagnosis. Conclusion Ongoing collaboration between the MNA and Screening Programs will build on evidence from the current study to support cancer screening programs and services for all Métis people in Alberta.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03799-9Breast cancer screeningCervical cancer screeningDiagnostic intervalsMétisParticipation ratesRetention rates
spellingShingle Michelle L. Aktary
Reagan Bartel
Ashton James
June Kima
Amanda Andrew
Angeline Letendre
Chinmoy Rahul
Bonnie Chiang
James Newsome
Huiming Yang
Karen A. Kopciuk
Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
BMC Women's Health
Breast cancer screening
Cervical cancer screening
Diagnostic intervals
Métis
Participation rates
Retention rates
title Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
title_full Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
title_fullStr Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
title_short Cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among Métis people in Alberta, Canada
title_sort cervical and breast cancer screening outcomes among metis people in alberta canada
topic Breast cancer screening
Cervical cancer screening
Diagnostic intervals
Métis
Participation rates
Retention rates
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03799-9
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