42nd Annual Philippa Harris Lecture – Cancer and Severe Mental Illness: Navigating the Syndemic Challenges

This lecture is co-presented by UHN Bioethics and the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB), and is part of the JCB Bioethics Seminar Series.

Title: Cancer and Severe Mental Illness: Navigating the Syndemic Challenges

Abstract: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Ontario. Despite technological, pharmacological, surgical and biomedical advances in cancer care, some of the most vulnerable, such as individuals living with severe mental illness (SMI) still experience high mortality rates. Paradoxically, structured guidelines and care standards focusing on enhanced screening, treatment, and monitoring, can unwittingly create barriers for some individuals. The interplay of lifestyle (obesity, smoking, inadequate physical activity, diet, and substance use) with illness characteristics (nature, severity, and course of mental illness) can adversely impact all stages of cancer and its care. For example, individuals with schizophrenia have a 2-2.5 times higher mortality risk of colorectal, breast and lung cancers compared to the general population.

These syndemic challenges alongside ethical, systemic and structural barriers, stigma, and adverse life experiences demand more equitable approaches to cancer care to ensure no one is left behind.

Speaker:

Dr. Oyedeji Ayonrinde
MD, FRCPsych, MBA
Associate Professor
Department of Psychiatry
School of Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Queen’s University

• 12:00 – Introduction and History of the Philippa Harris Lecture Series
• 12:10 – Introduction of the Speaker
• 12:15 – Speaker Presentation
• 1:00 – Question and Answer Period

On behalf of the UHN Department of Clinical and Organizational Ethics, I’m writing in the hope that you will be able to clear some time in your calendars to attend the 2023 Philippa Harris Annual Lecture on Bioethical Issues in Cancer Care. This year’s speaker is Dr. Oyedieji Ayonrinde, Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at Queen’s University. He is the Clinical Director for Community Mental Health Programs for Providence Care. He will be speaking on Equitable Cancer Care for Those Experiencing Severe Mental Illness. Here is a recent piece about his clinical work with and advocacy for this population: Navigating the complexities of cancer and severe mental illness | Faculty of Health Sciences | Queen’s University (queensu.ca)

The Philippa Harris lecture was established by Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Pat Harris in 1981 to celebrate the life of their daughter, Pippa, who died from cancer at the age of twenty. The lecture is shared between the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the UHN Bioethics Program, and the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics.

This event is free and is open to the general public. The YouTube live stream link to the lecture will be sent out to registered participants two hours before the event.

Questions? Please email Terry Yuen, jcb.ea@utoronto.ca