Current Cancer Incidence and Mortality
An estimated 159,900 new cases of cancer and 72,700 deaths from cancer will occur in Canada in 2007.
The total number of lung cancer cases (men and women combined) is greater than the number of either prostate or breast cancer cases.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
Overall, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer.
Probability of Developing/Dying from Cancer
On the basis of current incidence rates, 39% of Canadian women and 44% of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
On the basis of current mortality rates, 24% of women and 28% of men, or approximately 1 out of every 4 Canadians, will die from cancer.
Potential Years of Life Lost Due to Cancer
Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of premature death due to cancer.
Smoking is responsible for 28% of potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to cancer.
Trends in Incidence and Mortality
The increased number of new cases of cancer is primarily due to a growing and aging population.
Between 1994 and 2003, incidence rates rose by more than 2% per year only for melanoma and liver cancer in males, and thyroid cancer in both sexes.
Between 1994 and 2003, incidence rates declined by 2% or more for lung cancer in males, stomach and larynx cancers in both sexes and cervical cancer in females.
Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to climb among women while decreasing among men.
Mortality rates have declined for all cancers combined and for most types of cancer in both sexes since 1994. Exceptions are lung cancer in females and liver cancer in males.
Excluding lung cancer, mortality rates have dropped 20% in women since 1978.
Age and Sex Distribution of Cancer
44% of new cancer cases and 60% of deaths due to cancer occur among those who are at least 70 years old.
30% of new cancer cases and 18% of cancer deaths will occur in young and middle-aged adults in their most productive stage of life.
Cancer incidence is rising in young adults ages 20-29 and females up to 39.
Cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in females than males during the reproductive years although males have higher rates at all other stages of life.
Mortality is declining for males at all ages and for females under 70. Declines are most rapid in children and adolescents (ages 0-19).