Yellowknife, NWT – Sunday is Cancer Survivor Day in the Northwest Territories and throughout Canada.
The Deputy Chief Public Health Officer of the Northwest Territories says it’s an annual celebration of life for cancer survivors, their friends and family.
Doctor Kami Kandola says the territory is taking steps to help more people with their cancer journey.
“The Department of Health just launched a project funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to improve the cancer journeys of Northwest Territories residents. The continuity of care project will improve aftercare and survivorship services by reinforcing community level capacity to support cancer patients and survivors along the full continuum of care.”
Kandola encourages people to use the term survivor to describe anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, is going through treatment or is cancer free.
She says the term represents living after a cancer diagnosis regardless of how long a person lives.
Kandola says N.W.T residents who have experienced cancer can self-identify in different ways, but embracing survivorship over being a victim can empower and strengthen them in their journey.
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