Working with immigrants is a unique opportunity that I treasure. In 2016, I began working on two preventative health projects that I coordinate through the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). The first is ‘Preventing and Responding to Domestic Abuse against Newcomer, Immigrant, Refugee, and No Status Women,’ and the second: ‘Breast Cancer Awareness within Immigrant Populations.’ These immigrant women’s projects are funded by the Department of Justice and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation respectively. In this article, I will share the cultural lessons I’ve learned from coordinating these health projects. CULTURAL TABOOS. Breast cancer and domestic violence are topics that require a culturally sensitive approach. In some cultures, there is great fear and reluctance to talk about anything that is perceived
to be directly related to death. It means that you are somehow bringing harm, shame, bad luck, or death to yourself and family. This is especially the case for cancer. In addition, some people feel that succumbing to a disease or ailment was due to another person inflicting black magic (witchcraft) on them. With regards to domestic abuse, discussing something like this could bring shame or disrespect to the family as you are sharing personal matters that should not be disclosed outside of the family. This connects to the next lesson. WHAT HAPPENS AT HOME STAYS AT HOME. Have you ever heard of the phrase: “it’s not good to air your dirty laundry in public?” This speaks perfectly to how issues of family violence and disease diagnosis are perceived as issues to be dealt with in the family unit. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
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