WOMEN:
New Cases: Overall incidence rate increasing slowly and steadily, due largely to rise in lung cancer cases. Between 1995 and 2004, incidence of stomach, larynx, brain and cervical cancers dropped, while thyroid cancer rates rose.
Death rate: Stable overall since 1979, but if lung cancer were excluded, death rate would show a 20 per cent decline for other cancers over three decades. Deaths from Hodgkin's lymphoma, cervical and stomach cancers down.
Lung cancer: In females, rates of new cases and death on the rise since 1979. Since smoking rates among women began to decline slightly only in the mid-1980s, declining lung cancer rates have yet to become apparent.
Among men, rising incidence and death rates for lung cancer began to level off in the mid-1980s, declining ever since.
Prostate cancer: Still the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian men, although prostate cancer death rates fell significantly between 1995 and 2004.
Breast cancer: The most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. Incidence rate dropped significantly since 1999, by 1.7 per cent per year. Death rate down by more than 25 per cent since 1986.
Colorectal cancer: Death rates continue to decline for both men and women.
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On the Net:
Canadian Cancer Society: www.cancer.ca
