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Yukon's Cancer Strategy Finally Near
28 Jan
Summary
- Yukon government nears finalizing a cancer strategy after two decades.
- First Nations communities seek investigation into potential cancer causes.
- Data collection on First Nations cancer rates remains a significant challenge.
The Yukon government is nearing the completion of a long-awaited cancer strategy, nearly two decades after the Council of Yukon First Nations first called for such a plan. This strategy is intended to bolster support for Yukon First Nations in areas of cancer prevention, control, and patient treatment.
Community leaders have voiced urgent concerns regarding elevated cancer rates and the loss of citizens to the disease. They are advocating for thorough investigations into potential causes, questioning if environmental factors like mining contamination might be contributing. However, collecting specific cancer data for First Nations within the territory presents challenges, as current health data systems do not disaggregate information by First Nations status.
The Yukon Cancer Care Project team, a collaboration involving government health services and First Nations representatives, is working to launch the strategy. While aiming to enhance access to care, the responsible handling and housing of First Nations-specific cancer data are critical considerations. An update on territorial cancer incidence rates is anticipated in March, alongside the potential launch of the new strategy.
