Yukon says it's close to finalizing a cancer strategy for First Nations communities.

The Yukon government says it is close to finalizing a cancer strategy to support First Nations in prevention, care and treatment, and it expects to release updated territory cancer incidence rates in March.

Nearly two decades after First Nations called for action, the Yukon government says it is close to finalizing a cancer strategy. The strategy is described as aiming to support Yukon First Nations in cancer prevention, control, care and treatment. First Nations leaders have raised concerns about cancer rates and the need for better data and participation for many years. Key facts: - The Yukon Cancer Care Project team, which includes Yukon health and social services staff and First Nations health directors and citizens, is working to launch the strategy. - Territory cancer data do not include First Nation identifiers, so cancer rates for Yukon First Nation communities cannot currently be separated from overall territory figures. - Officials say an update on Yukon cancer incidence rates is expected in March, and the strategy could be launched at the end of March. Summary: The announcement responds to long-standing requests from Yukon First Nations for a coordinated approach to cancer prevention, care and data. Officials have indicated a data update is expected in March and a formal strategy launch could follow at the end of March.