Inhabitants of Nunavik, located over 1400 km away from Montreal, undergo cancer investigations and treatments at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) due to limited resources in the region. A recent study conducted by researchers at MUHC compared lung cancer survival rates between 95 Nunavik residents and 185 Montreal residents, all receiving treatment at MUHC. The findings revealed that Nunavik residents with similar stages of lung cancer experienced shorter survival periods compared to their Montreal counterparts, even after adjusting for other group differences.
The research, led by Dr. Faiz Ahmad Khan, a respirologist and associate professor at MUHC, emphasized that the results should not be misconstrued as suggesting a genetic predisposition among Inuit for worse lung cancer outcomes. Instead, the observations, when considered in conjunction with existing knowledge about health services and access in Nunavik, point to chronic underfunding and under-resourcing of health care services in the region. The lack of Inuit representation in health care provision is identified as a likely upstream determinant of the observed survival disparities.
Dr. Khan and his coauthors advocate for several actions to enhance lung cancer survival for Nunavik Inuit. These include the implementation of Inuit-specific smoking cessation and prevention services, the immediate availability of culturally sensitive lung cancer screening to facilitate early detection, and the improvement of lung health services through initiatives like establishing x-ray capacity in villages. The authors also recommend the development of a Nunavik Inuit-specific lung cancer care plan and the provision of training and employment for Inuit health navigators to support patients and families in Montreal. Additionally, they call for increased funding and human resources to strengthen health care services in Nunavik.
The study’s broader implications underscore the importance of supporting Nunavik Inuit efforts towards greater self-governance. The authors argue that increased Inuit decision-making over health care policy and funding will help align health services with the specific needs of the population, ultimately addressing the observed health disparities.
