General cancer statistics at a glance

Incidence and mortality

An estimated 177,800 new cases of cancer (excluding about 74,100 non-melanoma skin cancers) and 75,000 deaths will occur in Canada in 2011. In 2007, cancer surpassed cardiovascular disease (heart and cerebrovascular) as the leading cause of death in Canada.

In 2011, approximately 84,800 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cancer, and an estimated 35,100 women will die of cancer.

On average, 487 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every day.

Approximately 93,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with cancer, and an estimated 39,900 men will die of cancer.

On average, 205 Canadians will die of cancer every day.

The risk of cancer increases with age – 42% of new cancer cases and 59% of cancer deaths will occur among those who are 70 years of age and older. However, cancer can occur at all ages.

Across Canada, rates of cancer incidence vary because of variation in risk factors and early detection of cancer. Similarly, rates of death vary because of variation in cancer screening and treatment.

Lung, prostate, breast and colorectal cancer are the 4 most common cancer types in Canada and account for over 50% of all new cancer cases.
Lung cancer accounts for over a quarter (27%) of all cancer deaths each year.
Breast cancer accounts for over a quarter (28%) of new cancer cases in women.
Prostate cancer accounts for over a quarter (27%) of new cancer cases in men.

Probability of developing or dying from cancer

Based on 2011 estimates:

40% of Canadian women and 45% of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
An estimated 1 out of every 4 Canadians is expected to die from cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Canada – 1,048,900 years of life were lost in 2006 as a result of cancer. This represents 27% of the potential years of life lost resulting from all causes of death.

Prevalence

At the beginning of 2007, there were approximately 748,897 Canadians who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 10 years.

This represents about 2.3% of the Canadian population or 1 out of every 44 Canadians.

Survival

Based on 2004–2006 estimates:

62% of people are expected to survive for 5 years after their cancer diagnosis compared to the general population of the same age and sex.
Survival rates differ according to the type of cancer – from poor (for cancers such as lung, pancreas), average (for colorectal cancer), to good (for cancers such as prostate, thyroid).
Survival has increased for all cancers combined from 56% to 62% in the last decade.

To learn about the 4 most common cancer types, see other Statistics at a Glance.

For detailed cancer statistics by age, sex or province/territory, see Canadian Cancer Statistics.

Last modified on: 18 May 2011