Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012 released by the Canadian Cancer Society in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada has revealed that the cancer death rate in Canada is decreasing. Between 1988 and 2007, overall death rates dropped by 21% in men and 9% in women, resulting in nearly 100,000 lives saved over the last 20 years. Declines in death rates were seen in all four major cancers: lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate. Although the death rate is dropping, cancer is still the leading cause of death in Canada. “A large body of evidence has accumulated over the last 30 years showing that about half of cancers can be prevented,” says Gillian Bromfield, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. “Even greater gains can be made in reducing cancer rates if more is done to help Canadians embrace healthy lifestyles and if governments do more to create policies that encourage people to make these changes.” For more information about Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012, visit the Society’s website at cancer.ca/ statistics
