Canadian Para hockey trailblazer Raphaëlle Tousignant's dual fight for health, women's equality

Raphaëlle Tousignant has spent her life beating the odds, first as a survivor of childhood bone cancer and later as a trailblazing Para hockey player.

She recently had to face the disease again after being diagnosed with breast cancer last October. Tousignant rang the bell to celebrate the completion of her chemotherapy last week and is scheduled for a double mastectomy in just over a month, marking another battle won for the 23-year-old.

“I don't know if I'm cancer-free technically right now because I still have to do my scans, but after surgery, I will definitely be cancer-free. Knowing that this is done and I can move on to the next step — it's just an amazing feeling,” Tousignant told CBC Sports’ Allison Lang in a sit-down interview.

But her life has taken another unexpected turn, as she recently found out she lacks the gene that naturally suppresses tumors, a diagnosis called Li-Fraumeni syndrome — meaning she will likely never be fully out of the woods with cancer.

“It's probably not my last time getting through this, but now that I know, I'm going to be able to manage the situation more closely with my doctor and avoid getting to a point where a lot of chemo or surgery is needed,” Tousignant said.

Raphaëlle Tousignant on the barriers for women’s Para ice hockey, breast cancer diagnosis, and more

Tousignant continued her training schedule during chemo, part of a refusal to be sidelined that has defined her journey.

“Battling cancer while keeping my normal life was such a big win for me. I'm just so proud of what I've been able to accomplish in the past months,” she said.

The Terrebonne, Que., native is on a mission to elevate women’s Para hockey to the next level, both by working toward a future spot on the