Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in Aboriginal populations have increased disproportionately compared to non-Aboriginal populations. Improving modifiable risk factors - such as reducing consumption of red meat and increasing fruit and vegetable intake, increasing levels of physical activity, reducing overweight/obesity and tobacco smoking, and increasing rates of cancer screening - would reduce these rates. In the present application, we propose holding two knowledge translation activities in Kahnawake, Quebec. The first activity is a workshop aimed at fostering the shared exploration of the priorities in CRC prevention and risk reduction that could form the foundation of a grant application and capacity building to undertake community-defined high-priority CRC research in Kahnawake. The second activity is a public lecture aimed at increasing individual- and community-level awareness of colon health. The workshop will be held on April 23, 2015, and will include health leaders and elders from Kahnawake , academic researchers and clinicians, and cancer organization and government stakeholders. The public lecture will be held on November 19, 2015. Anticipated project outcomes are 1) identified community-led research priorities, 2) an identified team to undertake the high-priority research projects, and 3) increased community awareness of CRC prevention strategies, which have the potential to motivate individuals to improve their own health. The proposed project builds on an evolving partnership between McGill University researchers and Kahnawake knowledge users.