Labs and Groups

Presseau Group

Presseau Group

Cancer While Black

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada. Systemic barriers negatively affect cancer care access and outcomes for Black communities. Black women in particular experience significantly higher mortality rates and are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and at more advanced stages, particularly for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. These outcomes are closely linked to systemic racism, delayed diagnoses, access to services, negative interactions with healthcare providers, including medical mistrust and the dismissal of symptoms. Poor outcomes persist past diagnosis, throughout survivorship, contributing to unmet needs in post-treatment care, such as emotional and informational support, continuity of care, and navigation of follow-up and symptom management services. These experiences among Black women affect their quality of life and highlight gaps in supportive care.

  • study process explanation
  • Deux femmes noire avec texte

This study aims to amplify community strengths and identify ways to better support Black women navigating cancer care in Ottawa. It is divided into two main components. The Pathway Mapping component seeks to map out existing cancer care pathways and programs in Ottawa and assess the extent to which they are tailored to support Black women. The Community Interviews component focuses on the lived experiences of Black women in Ottawa, where the African, Caribbean, and Black population is steadily growing but remains underrepresented in cancer research.

By understanding their experiences, our work seeks to improve access to culturally responsive support services, and overall cancer care experiences for Black women, contributing to broader efforts to advance health equity in Canada. 

Project Team

Justin Presseau

Justin Presseau

Senior Scientist, Methodological and Implementation Research
photo of Emily Gibson

Emily Gibson

Research Coordinator

Michelle Awuku-Asabre

Michelle Awuku-Asabre

Research Assistant

Our Partners

Photo of Anthonette Jacob
Pin

Anthonette Jacob, Community Partner Lead and Lived Experience Advisor
Executive Director of the African, Caribbean, and Black Wellness Resource Centre
Author of Amazon’s Bestseller Cancer While Black
 

My journey with cancer changed every part of my life. As a Black woman navigating diagnosis, treatment, fear, and uncertainty, I quickly realized that many of our stories are unheard, unseen, and often undocumented. There were moments of loneliness, pain, exhaustion, and feeling lost, but also moments of strength, faith, resilience, and purpose.

During my radiation treatments and medical visits, I began asking questions and researching the experiences of Black women facing cancer. What I discovered shocked me — Canada was not collecting specific data or statistics on Black women diagnosed with cancer. That realization stayed with me deeply. I knew there were stories that needed to be told, voices that deserved to be heard, and gaps in healthcare conversations that could no longer be ignored.

That discovery became the foundation for Cancer While Black Docuseries and Bestseller on Amazon Book. What began from feeling alone transformed into a mission to create awareness, healing, education, and representation for Black individuals and families navigating cancer.

Receiving recognition for the docuseries through the Ottawa Black Film Festival in 2022, reminded me that I was on the right path. It affirmed that these conversations are necessary and that our stories matter. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership and support of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation and for the opportunity to use my voice and lived experience to bring awareness, hope, and advocacy to others.

Even during one of the hardest seasons of my life, I found purpose. Cancer did not stop my calling — it strengthened it. Through pain came passion, and through that passion came a movement dedicated to healing, empowerment, and creating space for Black stories to finally be seen and heard.

“My journey with cancer changed every part of my life. As a Black woman navigating diagnosis, treatment, fear, and uncertainty, I quickly realized there were stories that needed to be told, voices that deserved to be heard, and gaps in healthcare conversations that could no longer be ignored.

Even during one of the hardest seasons of my life, I found purpose. Cancer did not stop my calling — it strengthened it.”

Jill Burns

Jill Burns
The Ottawa Cancer Foundation

Mariama Aregbosola

Mariama Aregbosola
The Ottawa Cancer Foundation
 

Photo of Sue Merrill

Sue Merrill
The Ottawa Cancer Foundation

Our team is leveraging the work that has already been done by the ACB Wellness Resource Centre to raise awareness for cancer in local ACB communities. Among these include this docuseries film that explores the emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural realities many Black communities face while dealing with illness and healthcare inequities. 

Funder

The project is funded by the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.

Project Updates (last updated June 10, 2026)

We are now recruiting Black Women living in Ottawa for conversations about cancer screening and post treatment support. The conversation topics include cancer screening (women who have been screened or have never been screened for cancer) and access to cancer support (for women who have received a cancer diagnosis). For more information about participating in these 1:1 conversations, please email us: cancerwhileblack@ohri.ca