A new study that predicts declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where additional efforts are needed to save and prolong lives , say the researchers.
“The good news is that more people are surviving their cancer and beyond,” said lead author Darren Brenner, associate professor in the University’s departments of oncology and community health sciences. from Calgary.
The study, published Monday in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Associationestimates the number and rates of new cancer cases and deaths expected through 2024.
Rates of lung cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer are expected to decline this year, but less common cancers ― including melanoma, liver and kidney cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma ― are increasing, after the screenings.
Breast cancer incidence rates are relatively stable and mortality rates are declining, Brenner said.
“This is largely due to the success of mammography screening approaches within organized screening programs, as well as improvements in treatment options over the years,” he explained.
According to study co-author Jennifer Gillis, an epidemiologist and senior surveillance officer at the Canadian Cancer Society, “great progress” has been made in reducing the number of colorectal cancer cases and deaths from the disease.
“The incidence rate of colorectal cancer, after accounting for differences in age and population size, has declined significantly in recent years,” she said.
“This is largely due to the organized screening programs we have across Canada, which detect precancerous polyps which can be removed before cancer develops,” she added.
Such a screening program was launched in Quebec earlier this year.
Although cancer rates and deaths are declining overall, the study estimates that there will be 247,100 new cancer cases and 88,100 cancer deaths in 2024. This is an increase from years previous, which is largely explained by the increase and aging of the population, according to Mme Gillis.
Lung cancer is expected to remain both the most diagnosed cancer and the most common cause of cancer deaths in 2024, even as rates decline thanks to tobacco control, earlier detection and improvement treatments, indicated Mme Gillis.
Among cancers on the rise, melanoma is of particular concern, according to researchers.
“Melanoma is a preventable cancer and has been on the rise for many years,” said Ms.me Gillis.
“This reminds us that we really need to put in place policies and awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of sun protection,” she added.
In Quebec, the study predicts 63,000 new cancer diagnoses in 2024 and just under 23,000 deaths. Both figures are split essentially equally between men and women. Lung and bronchial cancer will be the most common, followed by breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Prostate cancer will be the most common among men, according to the study, and breast cancer will come first among women.
The study also highlights the need for further research into other cancers that cause more deaths and for which there are no routine screening methods, including liver and kidney cancers, the researchers said.