" A workplace cancer prevention program that’s showing promising results at Windsor Regional Hospital may be implemented across the region if enough federal funding is secured.
The Your Health Matters pilot project, developed by the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program and launched last fall as part of WRH’s healthy lifestyles initiative, is getting rave reviews from nearly 500 hospital employees who’ve signed up for it.
The program aims to increase participants’ awareness of their own cancer risk factors, educate them about the disease and ways they can prevent it, as well as encourage those who may be at risk to see a doctor and make lifestyle changes.
Participants were given information kits and a “tracking” card, which helps people map out their cancer risks by asking questions about their body mass index, alcohol and tobacco use and exercise habits, among others.
Nicole Robinson, an Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program health promoter and one of Your Health Matters project leaders, said 78 per cent of WRH participants said they will likely improve their health as a result of the information they got through the program.
Many of them also said they wouldn’t have received the valuable information on cancer prevention elsewhere.
“ The program is designed to be a brief intervention,” Robinson said, noting that about 50 per cent of cancers can either be prevented or detected early if proper measures are taken.
Robinson said a request for a “substantial” grant has been submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada to expand the Your Health Matters program across the province and nationally.
The Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program is working with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit to bring the program to City of Windsor, Chrysler and Ford employees in September.
Robinson said Your Health Matters participants are encouraged to pick one lifestyle change — quitting smoking or losing weight, for example — and focus on it.
“It’s very difficult to change any of those things yourself,” she said. “ That’s why doing it in a workplace setting with other people is very helpful.”
Even though people can’t control certain risk factors, such as their age and family history of cancer, they can reduce their chances of developing the disease by sticking to a healthy diet and an active life while avoiding tobacco, sun exposure and frequent alcohol consumption.
Janis Windsor, a WRH learning consultant, said she’s changed her eating habits and embarked on an effort to lose weight since she joined the program.
“ The french fries are no longer,” she said. “I also went to see my doctor and I’m on track with everything.”
Windsor said she’s also been able to pass on what she learned about cancer risks and prevention to her parents, who are in their 70s.
Robinson said the next phase of the pilot project will begin in April, when more formal evaluations will take place o see whether participants are actually doing something to improve their health and getting screened for cancer."
The Your Health Matters pilot project, developed by the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program and launched last fall as part of WRH’s healthy lifestyles initiative, is getting rave reviews from nearly 500 hospital employees who’ve signed up for it.
The program aims to increase participants’ awareness of their own cancer risk factors, educate them about the disease and ways they can prevent it, as well as encourage those who may be at risk to see a doctor and make lifestyle changes.
Participants were given information kits and a “tracking” card, which helps people map out their cancer risks by asking questions about their body mass index, alcohol and tobacco use and exercise habits, among others.
Nicole Robinson, an Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program health promoter and one of Your Health Matters project leaders, said 78 per cent of WRH participants said they will likely improve their health as a result of the information they got through the program.
Many of them also said they wouldn’t have received the valuable information on cancer prevention elsewhere.
“ The program is designed to be a brief intervention,” Robinson said, noting that about 50 per cent of cancers can either be prevented or detected early if proper measures are taken.
Robinson said a request for a “substantial” grant has been submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada to expand the Your Health Matters program across the province and nationally.
The Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program is working with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit to bring the program to City of Windsor, Chrysler and Ford employees in September.
Robinson said Your Health Matters participants are encouraged to pick one lifestyle change — quitting smoking or losing weight, for example — and focus on it.
“It’s very difficult to change any of those things yourself,” she said. “ That’s why doing it in a workplace setting with other people is very helpful.”
Even though people can’t control certain risk factors, such as their age and family history of cancer, they can reduce their chances of developing the disease by sticking to a healthy diet and an active life while avoiding tobacco, sun exposure and frequent alcohol consumption.
Janis Windsor, a WRH learning consultant, said she’s changed her eating habits and embarked on an effort to lose weight since she joined the program.
“ The french fries are no longer,” she said. “I also went to see my doctor and I’m on track with everything.”
Windsor said she’s also been able to pass on what she learned about cancer risks and prevention to her parents, who are in their 70s.
Robinson said the next phase of the pilot project will begin in April, when more formal evaluations will take place o see whether participants are actually doing something to improve their health and getting screened for cancer."
Source WindsorStar March 7, 2009
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