Cancer in First Nations in Ontario: Risk Factors and Screening Report

There are over 270,000 First Nations in Ontario, of which 203,000 are registered under the Indian Act. Of those registered, 46% live on-reserve. Of the 133 First Nation communities in Ontario, 33 lack year-round road access and 61 are rural/remote limiting their accessibility to health services. Whether living on-reserve or off-reserve, First Nations are more likely to experience poorer health, including higher rates of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, than the general Ontario populatio

This report was developed and published in partnership with Chiefs of Ontario to address the information gap associated with First Nations health data.

Supporting Documents

Report Infographic

Report Highlights

• Provides an introduction to First Nations in Ontario, including background on cultural and historical perspectives of First Nations’ health and well-being
• Identifies evidence linking modifiable risk factors to common cancers and the importance of these factors in relation to cancer risk
• Presents, describes and interprets estimates of prevalence of several modifiable cancer-related risk factors and participation in cancer screening in Ontario’s First Nations population