Release notice – Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2020 special report on lung cancer

Just Released!

The Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2020 special report on lung cancer was released on September 22, 2020.

Developed by the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Statistics Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society with data provided by the provincial and territorial cancer registries, this year’s Canadian Cancer Statistics publication is a special report providing statistics on lung cancer incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence. Where relevant, statistics are presented by sex, age, geography, stage, histology and time. The report also includes contextual information about lung cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

Some highlights from the report

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada, accounting for more deaths than colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancers combined.
• Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates are decreasing for males and decreasing or remaining stable for females in most provinces and territories.
• About half of all lung cancer cases in Canada were most likely to be diagnosed after they have metastasized (stage 4).
• The 3-year survival for lung cancer at stage 4 is only 5%. However, for lung cancer cases diagnosed at stage 1, the 3-year net survival rises to 71%.
• Organized lung cancer screening in Canada over 20 years can lead to 7000–17 000 fewer stage 4 diagnoses and 5000–11 100 fewer deaths.
• About 86% of lung cancer cases are due to modifiable risk factors, making it one of the most preventable cancers in Canada.

Download or print the latest and past editions of Canadian Cancer Statistics and related resources.