Cancer facts and statistics

Cancer facts and statistics

We are providing you with a summary of some of the facts and statistics on cancer to help you understand and guide you through everything you may find out about the subject. Although the estimates provided are not accurate forecasts, they do provide a good indication of the actual situation.
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The following statistics are projections based on statistical data from 2019 for new cancer cases and 2010 for mortality.

The number of cancer cases is on the rise

In 2023, 67,548 Quebecers were expected to be diagnosed with cancer, which represents 185 new cases every day. This number has been increasing for several years and is expected to increase even more in the years to come. It is the result primarily of aging and population growth. It is also estimated that in 2023, 22,500 people in the province died of cancer, at a rate of 62 deaths per day.

This means that on average in Quebec, someone learns that they have cancer every 8 minutes. Every 23 minutes, someone dies of it. In fact, cancer is the leading cause of death in Quebec, ahead of  cardiovascular disease.

Despite the increase in the number of cancer cases, the mortality rate from the disease has decreased by 26% among women and by over 39% among men in Canada since 1988. Overall, for all cancers combined, the net 5-year survival rate increased from 55% in the early 1990s to about 64% in 2023. These advances are linked to improvements in cancer screening practice, advances in treatment and to some lifestyle changes, including reduced tobacco use. Measures such as quitting smoking, eating well, being physically active and protecting yourself from the sun can go a long way towards reducing your risk of cancer.

Cancer in Quebec

In Quebec:

  • Lung cancer is the type of cancer most often diagnosed in men
  • Breast cancer is the type of cancer most often diagnosed in women
  • Lung and bronchus cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women

We estimate that in 2023 :

  • 7,089 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer
  • 5,427 men were diagnosed with lung cancer
  • 4,176 men were diagnosed with colorectal cancer
  • 9,559 women were diagnosed with breast cancer
  • 6,047 women were diagnosed with lung cancer
  • 3,237 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer

And :

  • 3,300 men died of lung and bronchus cancer
  • 1,400 men died of colorectal cancer
  • 1,050 men died of prostate cancer
  • 2,800 women died of lung and bronchus cancer
  • 1,400 women died of breast cancer
  • 1,150 women died of colorectal cancer

Usefulness and limitations of statistics

Statistics are tools that are designed to illustrate data related to a given population and not to illustrate the particular situation of an individual. They can therefore be used to:

  • Describe the health status of a population
  • Evaluate a test, treatment, or therapeutic trial
  • Look for and identify causal factors
  • Assess the quality and control of certain practices
  • Assess and establish the health care economic system
  • Illustrate the probability of healing, remission or recurrence

However, statistics can’t be interpreted as individual predictors of cure, remission or relapse; they are not certainties.

We can’t base the chances of recovery from cancer on statistics. There are many variables to consider, such as the type of cancer, its location, the stage of the disease and the response to treatment.

To learn more about the various topics related to cancer, please contact our Info-cancer Hotline at 1 800 363-0063. A specialized oncology nurse will listen to you, answer all your questions and give you the support you need.

Sources:

Statistiques du Registre québécois du cancer
Tableau de bord des statistiques canadiennes sur le cancer

Consult our Library to find publications on this topic that you can borrow free of charge.

Cancer

depistage1-FQC

Cancer screening

With early detection and better investigation and treatment methods, the survival rate for Canadians with cancer is over 60%. By comparison, in the 1940s, this stood at about 25%.
classification-cancer-1-FQC

Cancer classification: TNM, grade, stage

Learn more about the various cancer classification systems.
définition-cancer-FQC

Definition of cancer

Normally, your body's cells grow in a controlled manner. They divide when necessary and die when they have divided too many times or when they are damaged.
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Cancer prevention

While many aspects of cancer remain unknown at this time, it is possible for you to adopt lifestyle habits that can help you prevent the disease.