By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from AHS

Downward trend for Alberta cancer incidence and mortality rates

Feb 3, 2017 | 11:45 AM

EDMONTON –  Newly released data from Alberta Health shows the rate at which Albertans are dying of cancer continues to decrease.

The province’s cancer incidence rates have declined by about 0.6 per cent annually between 2001 and 2014. Mortality rates have also decreased over the past 20 years, falling on average by
2.1 per cent annually between 2004 and 2014.

According to the statistics, breast, prostate, lung and colorectal were the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Alberta in 2014.  When combined, they accounted for 52 per cent of new cases and about half of cancer deaths in the province. 

In 2014, about 17.985 cancer cases were diagnosed in the province and 5,870 people died from cancer.

The date credits early detection and cancer screening for increasing a patient’s rate of survival and years lived.

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Senior Medical Director for Cancer Control Alberta, Dr. Matthew Parliament, referred to the progress in a news release.

“We’re making tremendous progress with cancer control in Alberta – Albertans with cancer are living longer now than they did 20 years ago, proving we are providing the right treatments and care.”

The entire 2017 Report on Cancer Statistics in Alberta can be found online.

Alberta Health has well established screening and prevention programs designed to reduce the number of people who die from cancer.  The most recognized is ‘The Screening for Life’ program, which offers information, education and support to Albertans, to help them make informed decisions and by getting screened for cancer. 

All Albertans are encouraged to be conscious of the variety of factors, including diet, tobacco use, physical activity and time spent unprotected in the sun, which can help prevent many of the most common cancers.   Support and information can be found on the government website.