Cancer Statistics Released

Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit today released a report titled Cancer Statistics in Nova Scotia, A Focus on 1995-1999.

The report includes information on Nova Scotians diagnosed with cancer, the number of new cases each year and patterns of change in the types and number of cancers seen over time. It also offers projections for the future. In addition, the report provides an overview of the increasing number of Nova Scotians living with cancer and survival rates for major cancers in this province.

Key findings from the report include:

• Between 1995 and 1999, more than 22,000 Nova Scotians were diagnosed with cancer (about 5,000 new cases per year).
• By 2010, based on current statistics and our aging population, 7,000 Nova Scotians are expected to be diagnosed each year.
• Prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancers accounted for half of all cancer diagnoses.
• Cancer rates in Cape Breton County were higher than the provincial average.
• Cancer rates in Kings and Colchester Counties were lower than the provincial average.
• Two-thirds of all new cancers in Nova Scotia are diagnosed in people over the age of 60.

With the success of screening, early detection and advances in treatment, cancer is becoming a chronic disease, not unlike diabetes or heart disease. Today, more than 24,000 Nova Scotians are living with cancer.

"Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way," said Maureen MacIntyre, director, Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit. "By collecting, analyzing and monitoring patterns of cancer occurrence and outcomes in Nova Scotia, we're able to better understand the disease and take action in Nova Scotia."

The information assists health professionals in understanding the relative success of cancer treatment methods. It enables them to develop preventive measures to reduce the number of people being diagnosed with cancer. Health providers and managers use the information to plan and project expected needs of communities, which assist decision-making on resource allocation. Researchers use the data to generate hypotheses on specific cancer-related problems. Patients and families use the information to understand their chances of survival and to make informed decisions about treatment options.

"Cancer is a huge challenge for everyone it touches," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "We know half of all cancers can be prevented by avoiding exposure to tobacco, eating healthy, exercising regularly and following screening and early-detection strategies. In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, we must work with our partners and communities to explore the broader public policy implications related to cancer prevention. Through our Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit, we are monitoring and analyzing risk factors and evaluating screening, early-detection and treatment options to ensure that Nova Scotians have access to quality, evidence-based cancer care."

Some of the data collected and analyzed by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit has already been used by Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Gynaecological Cancer Screening Program. It is helping in the development of targeted approaches to address the screening needs of women in Nova Scotia.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health-care system through prevention, screening, education and research.