The number of people who have or have had cancer in Canada now exceeds 1.5 million compared to 1 million 10 years ago.
In a new report published Tuesday, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) explains that this increase results from both improved survival and an increased incidence.
The report shows a high number of people facing or having faced cancer who experience a long life. Jennifer Gillis, senior manager at the CCS, says investments in research pay off in the form of better detection methods and more effective treatments.
The Canadian Cancer Society reports that in 2012, about 193,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in Canada and that number jumped to about 206,000 in 2017. An estimated 233,900 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. , especially because of the growth and aging of the population.
The CCS points out that an increase in the number of cancer diagnoses means that Canadian health care systems will be even more stretched. These systems have already experienced delays and interruptions in care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could increase the number of cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage.
The Canadian Cancer Society says that without new investments, health care systems will not have enough resources to respond to the growing number of Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer.
And as more and more people live a long time during or after a cancer experience, the support to ensure quality of life during the post-treatment and survivorship periods will increase.
The CCS hopes that all levels of government will work together and contribute to creating a health care system that is the subject of immediate investments that guarantee fair and timely access to health care services and that support medical research.
On Monday, the Government of Canada said it was ready to increase its health transfers to the provinces and territories, but on condition that everyone work to create a health data system. The 13 provincial and territorial health ministers are meeting until Tuesday in Vancouver with their federal counterpart, Jean-Yves Duclos.