Anticipated Rise in Canadian Cancer Cases and Deaths in 2024
Cancer cases and deaths are expected to increase in 2024, according to a recent study from the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The study predicts that in 2024, there will be around 247,100 new cancer diagnoses and 88,100 cancer-related deaths. This is an increase from the previous year when there were 239,100 cases and 86,700 deaths in 2023. Among the different types of cancer, lung cancer is expected to cause the most deaths with 20,700, followed by colorectal cancer (9,400), pancreatic cancer (6,100), breast cancer (5,500), and prostate cancer (5,000).
Males are projected to have a 37 percent higher age-standardized mortality rate compared to females in 2024.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, with the Centre for Population Health Data at Statistics Canada reporting that around 25 percent of all deaths in Canada in 2022 were due to cancer.
The study also highlights that although the number of cancer cases is expected to rise in 2024, overall cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to decline in Canada. This positive trend is attributed to the comprehensive efforts in cancer control across the country, as well as advancements in prevention, screening, and treatment.
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Significant advancements have been seen in the incidence and mortality rates of lung and colorectal cancer, partly due to decreased rates of tobacco use. However, the decrease in lung cancer cases among women has not been as substantial.
Rise in Cancer a ‘Daunting Prospect’
In an editorial released alongside the study, Dr. Keerat Grewal expressed concern over the expected increase in cancer incidence and mortality in Canada, labeling it a “daunting prospect” due to the challenges many individuals face in obtaining timely diagnoses and treatment for cancer symptoms.
Dr. Grewal observed an increase in cancer patients being diagnosed in emergency departments, indicating a failure in providing efficient primary care avenues for cancer diagnosis. This trend, prevalent in Ontario, has become more common during the post-pandemic period, mainly impacting older Canadians, those lacking primary care access, and individuals from minority groups.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis in an emergency setting is becoming frequent in Canada, underscoring the shortcomings in health care systems to facilitate proper primary care-based pathways for suspected cancer diagnoses,” noted Dr. Grewal.
Dr. Grewal emphasized the urgent need to improve pathways for cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially for those at higher risk of delayed diagnoses and inadequate care.
