Cancer in the Northwest Territories ( ) Highlights from the Northwest Territories Cancer Report March 2014

111 new cases of cancer every year (incidence) Overall risk for NWT same as Canada Aging – reason for upward trend Cancer Incidence

25% of all deaths due to cancer 45 cancer deaths every year Decreasing trend Cancer Mortality

Incidence & Mortality by Gender NWT Male Incidence (n=566)Male Mortality (n=240) Under EMBARGO until March 2014

Incidence & Mortality by Gender NWT Female Incidence (n=541)Female Mortality (n=210) Under EMBARGO until March 2014

Cancer Incidence by Type Colorectal cancer higher in males and females Prostate cancer lower in the NWT

Cancer Mortality by Type Colorectal mortality higher in NWT males & females Lung cancer mortality higher in NWT females

Cancer Incidence by Ethnicity No difference in incidence by ethnicity for all cancers combined Colorectal cancer higher in Dene vs. non-Aboriginal people Prostate cancer higher in non-Aboriginal vs. Aboriginal people * There were too few cancer cases among Inuit & Métis people for analysis by cancer type

Cancer Mortality by Ethnicity Cancer mortality in Dene people is higher than non-Aboriginal people Inuit & Métis people mortality rate is prone to variability

Cancer Stage at Detection Screening = earlier detection = better survival rate

Cancer Screening: Colorectal, Breast & Cervical

Lung Cancer #1 cause of cancer deaths in NWT and Canada 25% of cancer deaths due to lung cancer NWT mortality in females higher than Canada 70% detected late (Stage 3 or 4) Most preventable cancer – Smoking is the biggest risk factor NWT smoking rates more than double Canadian rates

Colorectal Cancer 20% of new cancer diagnoses (Rank #2) 2 nd leading cause of cancer deaths NWT incidence & mortality almost double rate for Canada 50% detected late (Stage 3 or 4) Only 20% get FIT tested Prevent with high-fibre diet

Breast Cancer 33% of new cancer diagnoses in females (Rank #1) 2 nd leading cause of cancer deaths in NWT females NWT similar rates as Canada 78% detected early (Stage 1 or 2) 55% participation in screening program Screening: every 2 years for aged 50-69

Prostate Cancer 22% of new cancer diagnoses (Rank #1) 3 rd leading cause of cancer deaths NWT incidence lower than Canada 61% detected late (Stage 1 or 2) Screening program not indicated at present

Key Messages Incidence: increasing trend due to aging Mortality: decreasing trend Most frequent cancer types: – Colorectal, lung, breast & prostate – Colorectal incidence & mortality higher compared to Canada Colorectal screening rates are very low – Lung mortality in females higher than Canada Reduce lung & colorectal cancer risk: – Quit smoking – Healthy diet – Active lifestyle – Limit alcohol consumption – Healthy weight

Thank you