1 in 2 Canadians will get cancer, 1 in 4 will die of disease

[Underverse]

TORONTO — Almost one in every two Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and one in four Canadians will die from the disease, a new report by the Canadian Cancer Society predicts.

In 2017, an estimated 206,200 Canadians will be diagnosed with some form of cancer and an estimated 80,800 will succumb to their malignancy — making cancer the leading cause of death in Canada, the charitable organization said Tuesday in its annual cancer statistics report.

"Currently, every year we're seeing an increase in the number of cancer cases in Canada," said the society's epidemiologist, Leah Smith. "So between now and 2030, for example, we expect to continue to see a dramatic increase in the number of cancers diagnosed in Canada.

"That is a reflection of the growing and aging population," she said. "About 90 per cent of all the cancers that we expect to be diagnosed in 2017 will be among Canadians 50 years of age and older."

About 45 per cent of those cases will occur in people age 70 and older, said Smith, noting that as more people move into old age, the number of cancer cases will rise.

Despite the projection that cancer will cause the deaths of one in four Canadians, cancer mortality rates have been declining since their peak in 1988. Over the last three decades, deaths due to cancer have fallen by more than 30 per cent among males and by about 17 per cent among females.

"Declines in death rates have been largely driven by decreases in lung cancer incidence and mortality," she said, "so tobacco control in general has had a big impact on our death rates," especially among men who historically had higher smoking rates than their female counterparts.

Increased rates of screening for breast cancer and improved treatments have also bolstered survival among women.

Still, four cancers — prostate, breast, lung and colorectal — continue to top the list of the most common malignancies, which together are expected to account for more than half the cancer diagnoses in 2017. Lung cancer continues to take a huge toll: more people are predicted to die of the disease this year (21,100) than from a combination of the other three cancers (19,200 in total).

Sarah Metcalfe of Ottawa is all too familiar with the ravages of cancer, which has affected eight people in her family.

When she was a child, an aunt died of breast cancer. But cancer really hit home when Metcalfe was a new mom in her early 30s and her husband developed osteosarcoma in his upper arm, which was successfully treated with a bone transplant and long courses of "dramatic" chemotherapy.

About the same time, three uncles succumbed to lung cancer, mostly due to smoking, and then her father developed fatal colon cancer.

"I thought that's got to be it now," said Metcalfe, 58.

But is was not to be: her brother was subsequently diagnosed with skin cancer, though he is doing well," she said, "and then I had my turn." In 2011, Metcalfe learned she had breast cancer.

"Just as I'd finished treatment, my mom found a lump on her thigh" that turned out to be a soft-tissue sarcoma. Despite treatment, the cancer spread and her mother died about two years later.

"That's it so far," said Metcalfe, who as the owner of two women's fitness centres in part credits regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet with her five-year survival.

Survival rates for some cancers have improved dramatically over time: overall, 60 per cent of Canadians diagnosed and treated for cancer will survive five years or longer, says Smith.

But that's not the case for pancreatic cancer. With an eight per cent five-year survival rate, the gastrointestinal cancer has the poorest prognosis of the 23 malignancies the Canadian Cancer Society reports on. This year, an estimated 5,500 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and 4,800 will die of the disease.

This is terrible news! How can the government sit idly by while Canadian citizens succumb to this disease at record rates? Perhaps we should establish maximum age laws to prevent this tragedy from happening?

Still, it's good to see that Canada's superior healthcare system gives many cancer patients a new lease on life. Other countries could definitely learn from this.

[Devonitar]

I think I can see what you did there.

[Endus]

As the article states, this is an effect of an aging population, combined with our relatively high average life expectancy; pretty much everyone gets cancer if you live long enough.

[Ghostpanther]

This is terrible news! How can the government sit idly by while Canadian citizens succumb to this disease at record rates? Perhaps we should establish maximum age laws to prevent this tragedy from happening?

Still, it's good to see that Canada's superior healthcare system gives many cancer patients a new lease on life. Other countries could definitely learn from this.

Cancer is one of the bad side affects of living longer. As we increase people's life spans, we also open up other can of worms of social problems. The answer is to deal with it the best we can. But we have to be willing to accept it as a side effect of aging. I do wish the health care system in my country was better.

[shadowmouse]

There are more serious problems, and I am shocked @Tennisace has not addressed this! https://notallowedto.com/canadian-man-with-micropenis/


[Infracted]

[zenkai]

This is terrible news! How can the government sit idly by while Canadian citizens succumb to this disease at record rates? Perhaps we should establish maximum age laws to prevent this tragedy from happening?

Still, it's good to see that Canada's superior healthcare system gives many cancer patients a new lease on life. Other countries could definitely learn from this.

I blame Justine T.

- - - Updated - - -

I think I can see what you did there.

That his post is a parody of someone else?

[Deleted]

Canada cancer contagious chances catches champions' completely cold composure concerning climatic changes Canada conflating cancers concerns.

Boom!

[Pyro1990]

There are more serious problems, and I am shocked @Tennisace has not addressed this! https://notallowedto.com/canadian-man-with-micropenis/

"A guy has to do what a guy has to do to get laid"

Words to live by for sure. Thanks for sharing the article.

[Aoyi]

Cancer is horrible and yes, you do have a higher risk the older you get. That said, it can happen to anyone at any age. I recommend getting checked at least annually and to not shrug off any weird symptoms you get without getting checked out.

I've personally survived two fights with cancer now and I'm only 35. The cancer I've been fighting was incredibly rare in someone my age and not that I was too young. I was actually considered to be too old to be at risk for this particular type, but it still happened. Almost 2 years later, I've spent 111 days in hospitals and cancer centers (not counting all my general oncologist/specialists visits). Chemo sucks, but right now, its the best tool to fight many types of cancers. Most of the damage done to my body has been from the treatments, but without those treatments, I'd be dead right now. I may not be able to talk. It might hurt to walk. But I'm still alive because of a doctor who said it was better to go past the dose limits than give up. Sure, it did damage, but he saved me. My first oncologist couldn't do it, but this guy was willing to push and do what needed to be done. I'm now 6 months in remission because of him.

So yes, you might never get cancer. I hope you and your families never experience what I went through, but cancer IS on the rise right now all around the world. Be smart and be safe. Get checked. It could save your life.

[Chinese Bootlickers]

Quick, we must inform Tenisface of this terrible atrocity plaguing the great, utopian Canada!

[Independent voter]

As populations ages and there's not enough young to pay the taxes required to take care of the old, what's going to happen?

[bigsav1]

Quick, we must inform Tenisface of this terrible atrocity plaguing the great, utopian Canada!

Canada is literally the best, Don't you dare speak ill of it or you shall be rained upon with fire and brimstone!

[Ghostpanther]

As populations ages and there's not enough young to pay the taxes required to take care of the old, what's going to happen?

The old will start dying off faster.

[chazus]

While I'm not a medical professional, I'm fairly certain that more and more people will die of cancer as time goes on.

"Oh no, what will we do?!" Please. These people are dying in their 80s, 90s, and 100s.

A lot of studies are starting to believe that cancer is, in some cases, simply a kill switch. When the body can no longer operate properly, it says its time to go.

People are dying less and less of other diseases and causes. Cancer could just as easily be called 'old age'. That, topped with the baby boomer era hitting right around that range... Yes, you're going to see it more.

If you have a group of 10 people, they're going to die. If you have a group of 100 people, they're also going to die. But it's somehow newsworth to say "Death rate is up 10-fold". Well.... yeah?

[Ghostpanther]

While I'm not a medical professional, I'm fairly certain that more and more people will die of cancer as time goes on.

"Oh no, what will we do?!" Please. These people are dying in their 80s, 90s, and 100s.

A lot of studies are starting to believe that cancer is, in some cases, simply a kill switch. When the body can no longer operate properly, it says its time to go.

People are dying less and less of other diseases and causes. Cancer could just as easily be called 'old age'. That, topped with the baby boomer era hitting right around that range... Yes, you're going to see it more.

If you have a group of 10 people, they're going to die. If you have a group of 100 people, they're also going to die. But it's somehow newsworth to say "Death rate is up 10-fold". Well.... yeah?

Good point. I like Norman Rockwell wife's response to the news media when they asked her about the news he had died, what did he die from? Her response was " From being 84. "

[chazus]

Good point. I like Norman Rockwell wife's response to the news media when they asked her about the news he had died, what did he die from? Her response was " From being 84. "

Yeah... Once you get to your 80s.. Unless something specifically happens, like getting hit by a truck... Chances are its going to be either cancer, or a failing immune system. Which is just medical understanding of 'old age'.

Nobody dies of 'old age'. There's no such thing. There is, however, things like cancer. It's the thing that happens when your body stops working.

[Allybeboba]

50 isn't "old".

[Deleted]

great, more old people wasting millions upon millions of our taxes because of meme shit like cancer.

[fengosa]

As populations ages and there's not enough young to pay the taxes required to take care of the old, what's going to happen?

You do realize that the US has higher health care costs and more restricted immigration policies than Canada?

[chazus]

50 isn't "old".

Not sure how thats relevant.