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Media backgrounder: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006 - Screening: Breast, colorectal, cervical 11
April
2006
TORONTO -
According to Progress in Cancer Control: Screening – a special report in Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006 – scientific evidence currently supports organized population-based screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancers. Breast cancer- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women. In 2006, it is estimated that 22,200 women will be diagnosed with cancer and approximately 5,300 will die of the disease.
- More than 50 per cent of all breast cancer cases occur in women between the ages of 50 and 69.
- Current evidence suggests that organized screening with mammography and clinical breast exam could reduce breast cancer death by as much as 25 per cent when participation is high and when all program elements are implemented over a prolonged period.
- There is insufficient evidence to show that mammography screening in women younger than 50 or over 69 has a significant benefit in terms of reduction of deaths. The value of screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 is currently being investigated in a large trial in the United Kingdom; results are expected later this year.
- It has been shown that screening is most effective through an organized program so, whenever possible, women are encouraged to participate in organized breast cancer screening programs. However, because screening is an important way to detect breast cancer early, women should still be screened even if they don’t have access to an organized program.
Colorectal cancer- In 2006, it is estimated that 20,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and about 8,500 will die of the disease.
- Approximately 90 per cent of colorectal cancer is diagnosed in Canadians over the age of 50.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in Canada. It is the second most common cancer-related death for men and the third most common for women.
- The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that men and women 50 and over have a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) test every two years to screen for colorectal cancer. If occult (which means “hidden” or “difficult to see”) blood is identified, further testing will be required to determine the source of the bleeding.
- In addition, FOBT screening may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer by detecting blood in the stool from pre-cancerous polyps. Once identified, these polyps can be removed through colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy before they become cancerous.
Cervical cancer- In 2006, about 1,350 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 390 will die from it.
- Cervical cancer is the 11th most common cancer in Canadian women and the 13th most common cause of cancer-related death.
- Largely as a result of ad-hoc (not organized) screening for cervical cancer with the Pap test, incidence rates have declined by 50 per cent and death rates by 60 per cent since 1977.
- The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that women who are sexually active should have the Pap test and pelvic examination every one to three years depending on the guidelines in their province.
- The first cervical cancer screening program was launched in British Columbia in 1949 with many of the components of an organized program. While other provinces vary considerably in terms of an organized program, all are moving towards this goal.
-30- The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333. -30- For more information, please contact: Kerstin Ring Senior Manager, Communications Canadian Cancer Society, National office Phone:
(416) 934-5664
Alexa Giorgi Bilingual Communications Specialist Canadian Cancer Society, National office Phone:
(416) 934-5338
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