Lung cancer rates are dropping faster than any other type in Canada. Here’s why

Lung cancer death rates in Canada are declining faster than any other type of cancer, which can attributed to the significant impact of tobacco control and early detection efforts.

Lung cancer death rates in Canada are declining faster than any other type of cancer, which can be attributed to the significant impact of tobacco control and early detection efforts, according to a new report.

The report, Canadian Cancer Statistics 2023, was released Wednesday by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in collaboration with Statistics Canada and found the biggest reason behind the fall in lung cancer deaths is due to a reduction of tobacco use, which is the leading risk factor for the disease.

Research advancements have also played a crucial role in improving lung cancer survival through early detection and more precise and effective treatments with fewer harmful side effects, the report found.

“This finding really highlights the progress that has been made in reducing lung cancer incidence through commercial tobacco control and prevention efforts,” Jennifer Gillis, senior manager of surveillance for the CCS, told Global News.

“It really highlights the progress that has been made to advance early detection and treatments, to improve outcomes and quality of life for people affected by lung cancer.”

In 2023, it is estimated that 239,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer and 86,700 will die from the disease, according to CCS. Lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer make up for almost half of all new cancer diagnoses.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, responsible for about one in four cancer fatalities among Canadians. But in recent years there have been significant decreases in incidents and death rates for lung cancer, according to the report.

Between 2015 and 2020, lung cancer death rates decreased by 4.3 per cent per year since 2014 for men and 4.1 per cent per year since 2016 for women, the report found.