Health
Cancer study findings chilling
Spring 2010 |
(CNW) The latest Canadian cancer statistics published by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) confirm that cancer is now the leading cause of death in the country, and that the disease is still on the rise nationwide. Overall, incidence and death rates are the highest in Quebec and Atlantic Canada and are the lowest in British Columbia. Lung, colorectal, prostate and breast cancer will represent more than half (54.percent) of all cancers diagnosed in Canada.
In 2005 (the latest available data), 230,132 people died nationwide - 29 percent from cancer compared to 28 percent for circulatory diseases. And given Canada's growing and ageing population, the CCS believes that the number of cancer-related deaths will grow in the coming years.
Fast facts: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2010
In 2010, there will be an estimated 173,800 new cases in Canada and 76,200 cancer-related deaths.
There will be an estimated 475 new cancer cases diagnosed daily.
Among women, lung cancer incidence and death rates continue rise - in fact, they have more than tripled since 1975. More men than women are diagnosed with cancer, but the gap between the two sexes has narrowed in recent years (51.7 percent of cases are in men vs. 48.3 percent of women).
The odds of getting cancer increase with age (88 percent of the new cancers that will occur in 2010 will be diagnosed in the 50 and over group.)
Special focus: cancer and end-of-life care
In the special section of Canadian Cancer Statistics 2010, it is revealed that the type and quality of the care and services enabling a cancer patient to die with dignity wherever they wish is a function of where they live in Canada.
Caring for a dying cancer patient is part of a palliative approach that is provided when a patient's healthcare team determines that a cancer is unlikely to be cured. The goal of this type of palliative care is to improve quality of life. This includes:
- managing physical symptoms such as pain, nausea and shortness of breath
- meeting emotional needs such as anxiety and depression
- addressing spiritual needs
- support for caregiver
The special report presented in Canadian Cancer Statistics 2010 highlights a number of troubling facts when it comes to end-end-life care in Canada:
- There are inadequate services to allow people to die at home when this
is their preference.
- One reason for this is because community-based services are not
available for dying people in some jurisdictions - an estimated 85%
of Canadians who need home hospice care do not have access to such
specialized services(2).
- Palliative care services exists, but are often not used.
- Patients and their families sometimes are not aware of available
services.
- Because it is often difficult to anticipate death, healthcare
providers may not be able to judge when people with cancer should
begin receiving care that is focused on palliative needs rather
than disease treatment. Late enrolment to palliative care can mean
a patient will not receive the benefits from care specifically
focused on the needs of the dying
- Families caring for dying people experience significant psychological
and financial burdens.
- A recent Canadian study reveals that the costs associated with
caring for a terminal family member at home are approximately
$5,000(3).
The Canadian Cancer Society fights cancer by doing everything it can to prevent this disease, save lives and help those living with cancer. For more information on cancer or on Canadian Cancer Statistics 2010, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service line at 1 888 939-3333.
