Fifty years ago, only 25 per cent of people survived cancer. Today, thanks to risk reduction, early detection and improved treatment options, that number is closer to 60 per cent and, in some cases, as much as 90 per cent. Here, with information from Alberta Health Services’ 2019 Report on Cancer Statistics in Alberta, we take a closer look at the survival rates of the four most common types of cancer.
100%
BREAST From 1996 to 2016, breast cancer mortality rates for women have decreased by 2.6% annually. Between 2012 and 2016, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer patients diagnosed at stage 1 was 100%.
94%
COLORECTAL From 1996 to 2016, colorectal mortality rates for both men and women have decreased by 1.9% and 1.7% annually, respectively. For patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2016, the five-year relative survival rate was 94% for stage 1.
61%
LUNG From 2008 to 2016, lung cancer mortality rates in women have decreased by 2.1% annually. From 2007 to 2016, lung cancer mortality rates in men have decreased by 3.2% annually. From 2012 to 2016, the lung cancer five-year survival rate was 61% for stage 1.
100%
PROSTATE From 1996 to 2016, prostate cancer mortality rates for men have decreased by 2.4% annually. The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer in Alberta is 100% and 47% for stages 3 and 4, respectively.
