Each spring the Canadian Cancer Society, Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada publish “Canadian Cancer Statistics”.
Since 1987, this publication has been recognized as the definite source of information regarding incidence (newly diagnosed cases), survival, and mortality.
When we compare BC with the rest of the country, we have reason to celebrate:
> for all cancers, our province has the lowest mortality rates - often referred to as the best outcomes in Canada. But what is the reason for these mortality rates?
> some people believe that these favourable outcomes are due to our superior survival rates. But the data in this document do not support this belief. Rather, our five-year relative survival ratios are similar to the Canadian average.
> the BC advantage starts with our incidence rates - fewer people getting cancer to begin with. Generally speaking, our province has the lowest incidence rates for all cancers. So it makes sense that if fewer people are diagnosed with cancer, fewer people should die of this dreaded disease. (I realize as I write this that it sounds so very obvious, but believe it or not, there is a great deal of confusion and misinformation on this point!)
> and to what can we attribute our enviable incidence rates? For a number of years, BC has had the distinction of having the best track record in healthy living. Living smoke-free, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active - these behaviours reduce our risk, not only of cancer, but of other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
In the Canadian Cancer Society, we realize that at least 50% of all cancers could be prevented, and we believe that BC is headed in the right direction.
But we all can and should do much more!
Not everyone in BC and the Yukon has the same opportunity to make healthy choices. For many, their economic, cultural, or educational circumstances place them at considerable disadvantage regarding health.
And then there is the whole area of carcinogens that we are exposed to in our environment. This is an area of great concern to everyone, which is why we have been advocates for the precautionary principle - better to be safe than sorry.
So, let’s all take a moment to celebrate having the lowest cancer rates in the country - and let’s all strive to do even better in the years to come!