Changing epidemiology of cancer

At current rates, approximately one in three Canadians will develop cancer, and one in four will die from it. For each sex, three cancer sites account for more than 50% of all new diagnoses and cancer deaths, these being lung, prostate, and colorectum in men and breast, colorectum, and lung in women. Although the total numbers of new cases and cancer deaths have risen, the overall cancer incidence and mortality rates have increased only slightly. The ranking of specific sites have changed, however; most notably, lung cancer has moved from the fifth to the second most common site of cancer death in women since 1970. The authors review trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Canada. Changes in lifestyle and behaviour could reduce cancer incidence and mortality.