Today we honour those who are impacted by cancer globally, including my very courageous sister in Turkiye.
Here are some of my messages for today:
– Newfoundland and Labrador has the 2nd leading cancer rate among the Canadian provinces
– Lung, breast, colorectal & prostate cancers make around 50% of cancer cases
– There are many other cancers affecting us, which are equally important and impactful
TO ALL CURRENT PATIENTS and FAMILIES out there AFFECTED BY CANCER:
– We see and hear you
– Impact of cancer on you and your loved ones are significant
– These include emotional, social, financial, and other impact
– We are determined to advocate on your behalf, and do research, teaching, training, and service
– There is a growing number of advocates in NL, that gets national attention now
– Please check the services offered by the Provincial Cancer Care Program in NL: https://cancercare.easternhealth.ca/
– Better days ahead
THESE ARE WHAT I WANNA SAY TO FUTURE CANCER PATIENTS AND FAMILIES:
– Should we let cancer rule our lives?
– Are there things to do to prevent it? For example, thru addressing smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary life style, diet & other exposures (including some infections)
– Screening and early detection can save lives
– Anything unusual? please see your healthcare provider, regardless of your age
– Please advocate for yourself and others
AND THESE ARE WHAT I WANNA SAY TO GOVERNMENTS AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS:
– address the social determinants of health
– solve the primary care access issues
– address the financial cost of cancer and other needs of affected families and individuals
– information campaigns on cancer are critical, especially in this age of misinformation and disinformation
– Invest in people and healthier population, so that we can be a stronger country, economy, society, and more
– MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, NOT ON A WEBSITE 
I am also grateful for:
- City of St. John’s proclaiming today as the World Cancer Day in St. John’s: https://www.stjohns.ca/en/city-hall/proclamations.aspx#February
- Telegram publishing our article on the World Cancer Day: https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/nl-world-cancer-day
- Paddy Daly for interviewing me in OpenLine today
- Tim Powers for interviewing me today at his show on cancer
#NewfoundlandAndLabrador #Advocacy #Cancer #Awareness #WorldCancerDay
Better days ahead
Sevtap Savas, PhD. Feb 4, 2025, St. John’s
