The Ontario Medical Association has released a statement after a Newfoundland woman used her own obituary to urge women to better advocate for their own health.
Ellen Maud Bennett died last May, just days after she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
"Over the past few years of feeling unwell she sought out medical intervention, and no one offered any support or suggestions beyond weight loss," says Bennett's obituary. "Ellen's dying wish was that women of size make her death matter by advocating strongly for their health and not accepting that fat is the only relevant health issue."
The obituary has gained attention nationally.
BlackburnNews.com reached out to the association that advocates on behalf of doctors across the province. It asked if it had a policy in place to discourage "fat shaming", or provided doctors with any training to avoid it.
President Nadia Alam responded in a statement.
"No patient should ever be made to feel small or unworthy," says Alam. "Intentional fat shaming is never okay and physicians, as patient advocates, are not only mindful of how their words and actions are perceived, but care deeply about their patients' health and welfare, regardless of circumstance.
"For this reason, physicians advocate for preventative health measures, such as smoking cessation, exercise and healthy diets. Research shows clearly that obesity raises the risk for certain cancers, sleep apnea, arthritis, and so on."
The Public Health Agency of Canada says 64.2% of all Canadians reported they were overweight or obese in 2015.