New cancer cases, deaths on upward trend: report

Both new cases and deaths from cancer are expected to increase this year in Canada over 2007, the Canadian Cancer Society predicts.

Newly released statistics from the society show 166,400 new cases of cancer anticipated this year, an increase of 6,500 over the previous year. And 73,800 people will die of the disease, up by 1,100 over last year.

The report, released Wednesday, cites the aging and expanding population as being behind the anticipated rise.

In terms of gender breakdown, the overall cancer death rate for men continues to decline, as it has done since 1988, due to decreases in death rates of lung, colorectal and other cancers. As well, the overall cancer incidence rate for men is in on a downward curve and the report predicts this will continue.

While decreases in incidence rates in stomach, larynx and lung cancer in men have been observed, there has been an increase in liver and thyroid cancers in this group.

Prostate cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.

Among women, the overall death rate for women has remained stable since 1979. The overall cancer incidence rate has been increasing slowly and steadily.

While incidence rates in women decreased for stomach, larynx, brain and cervical cancers, more women are getting thyroid cancer, finds the report.

Lung cancer rates in women are also continuing on an upward trend, though breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in this group.