Peer Navigation and Psychosocial Oncology: Building Empowered Pathways in Cancer Survivorship

Immigrants face multiple barriers at every stage of their cancer survivorship journey, right from cancer screening. Many immigrant women prefer a female healthcare provider for multiple reasons, not least being for modesty around sexual health. However, they face long waits in Canada to access female physicians, and may have to make long journeys across multiple cities, facing transportation issues, and braving harsh weather conditions, to receive cancer screening. Communication barriers are among the top hurdles immigrants face in accessing healthcare. Improved screening access and survivorship for immigrants is probably best facilitated by a peer leader. The lived experience of female healthcare cancer survivors like Susan Leigh is unparalleled in their ability to mentor especially immigrant women through the perilous journey of cancer survivorship and adds a whole new dimension to their advice as a peer navigator. This helps empower immigrant women to make informed choices, advocate for the best care for themselves, and live their best lives. Improving education about cancer screening, facilitating team-based enrolment, cultural sensitization of healthcare workers, and engaging the community also help to overcome barriers to cancer screening in immigrants.