Cancer-Related Healthcare Disparities in Canada: A Nursing Perspective

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT 1
Nursing Assignment
Name of Author
Institution of Affiliation
Date of Submission

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 2
Cancer is a significant health issue affecting individuals located in Canada. Cancer has
become a significant illness causing death among the Canadian population. Although there have
been recent advances in cancer research and management, increasing disparities in cancer-related
care, have been recognized. The discrepancies have been seen, especially among under-served
communities, low income and disadvantaged groups. Due to the rising reported cases of cancer,
and without proper interventions, and the increasing numbers of minorities and social differences
in general, cancer-related healthcare services disparities will increase immensely (Moore et al.,
2015).
According to World Health Organization, the primary health care approach has five
various kinds of care. The types of care include preventive, rehabilitative, curative, promotive,
and palliative. Additionally, the major principles of primary health care include public
participation, accessibility, intersectoral cooperation, health promotion, and proper technology
(Macdonald, 2013). Inadequate access and inequity are a major cause of the increase in cancer-
related issues affecting the people living in Canada. Access to quality health care services is
significant for supporting and maintaining the health status of an individual, managing and
preventing diseases, and decreasing unnecessary premature death and disability. Additionally,
access to quality health care services is crucial for attaining health equity among all Canadians.
One of the major contributors to inadequate access and inequity, leading to cancer-related issues,
is social determinants ((Ahmed & Shahid, 2012). The social determinants include:
1. Education
Access and fairness towards health care services increase with the level of education.
Higher education level results in a high possibility of higher incomes. Therefore, it will be easier
for these individuals to access healthy foods, cater for health transportation and services, and

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 3
have adequate time to exercise on a regular basis. As a result, these individuals are able to cater
for cancer treatment, eat food that is nutritious, and prevent cancer-related issues. Conversely,
people with a lower level of education have a high possibility of experiencing low salaries, job
insecurity, and inadequate resources. These issues mostly lead to poor nutrition, unstable
housing, and hard access to healthcare services due to inadequate funds. Consequently, these
issues affect the individuals because they may lack enough funds to cater for cancer treatment.
Moreover, these individuals may not be able to live a lifestyle that is free from cancer-related
issues and, therefore, is at a high risk of experiencing cancer-related problems.
2. Employment and working conditions
Individuals with more control over their work tend to have more access to healthcare
firms compared to people with less control over their work. This is because individuals with
more control over their work can schedule or go to a healthcare facility anytime they want,
whereas those with minimal control over their work have limited time to access healthcare
facilities. As a result, individuals with more control over their working conditions can have time
to attend to cancer screenings, and cancer therapy, and are therefore at a high chance of getting
an early diagnosis of cancer and get the proper therapy before the disease gets to an advanced
stage. Additionally, some firms offer health insurance policies to their employees, whereas other
organizations do not offer health insurance coverage. Therefore, employees with a health
insurance cover have easier access to healthcare firms because everything will be covered
compared to those employees who do not have health insurance policies.
3. Neighborhood and physical environment