Cancer - Statistics in Niagara
Cancer is a group of diseases that happen when abnormal cells in the body divide and spread without control.
In 2018, there were:
- 3,525 new cases of cancer diagnosed to Niagara residents
- 1,835 cases in males and 1,690 cases in females
- 1,340 deaths due to cancer
Cancer screening
To diagnose and treat cancer at an early stage, three types of cancer screening are funded publicly, including breast, cervical and colorectal. Participation in all three screening programs declined in 2020, likely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
- In 2020, 56.5 per cent of Niagara females eligible for breast cancer screening had at least one mammogram in the previous 30 months compared to 57.7 per cent in Ontario
- In 2020, 55.5 per cent of Niagara females eligible for cervical cancer screening had at least one Pap test in the previous 42 months compared to 54 per cent in Ontario
- In 2020, 43.7 per cent of Niagara residents eligible for colorectal cancer screening were overdue for screening compared to 43.7 per cent in Ontario
Source: Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) [2021]
Cancer incidence
Cancer incidence rates (2010-2018)
Between 2010 and 2018, the rate at which new cancers are diagnosed (incidence rate) declined in Niagara overall and among males. In 2018, Niagara has a significantly higher cancer incidence rate than Ontario.
Age-specific cancer incidence rates (2018)
Overall, as age increases, cancer incidence rates also increase. Cancer cases between birth and 24 years are low so these cases are combined. Males 65 years and older have significantly higher incidence rates of cancer than females of the same age.
Top five cancers diagnosed (2018)
The most commonly diagnosed cancers in Niagara are: lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lung cancer makes up one in every seven cancer diagnoses. In 2018, the lung cancer incidence rate is the same for females and males. In 2018, individuals 60-79 years and 80 years and older have significantly higher lung cancer incidence rates compared to younger age groups. Between 2010 and 2018, lung cancer incidence rates did not change significantly. In 2018, the lung cancer incidence rate is significantly higher for Niagara than Ontario.
Top five cancers diagnosed in males (2018)
The top five cancers diagnosed in males in Niagara are: prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Prostate cancer makes up one in every five cancer diagnoses for males in Niagara. Prostate cancer incidence rates increase with age, but start to decline after 80 years. Between 2010 and 2018, prostate cancer incidence rates decreased significantly. In 2018, the incidence rate for prostate cancer for Niagara is not significantly different than Ontario.
Top five cancers diagnosed in females (2018)
The top five cancers diagnosed in females in Niagara are: breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, and melanoma. Breast cancer makes up one in every four cancer diagnoses for females in Niagara. Breast cancer incidence rates increase with age, but start to decline after 80 years. Between 2010 and 2018, breast cancer incidence rates did not change significantly. In 2018, the breast cancer incidence rate for Niagara is not significantly different than Ontario.
Cancer mortality
Cancer mortality rates (2010 - 2018)
Between 2010 and 2018, the rate at which people die from cancer (mortality rate) did not change significantly. In 2018, Niagara has a significantly higher cancer mortality rate than Ontario.
Age-specific cancer mortality rates (2018)
Overall, as age increases, cancer mortality rates also increase. Deaths due to cancer between the ages of birth and 49 years are low so these deaths are combined. Males 75 years and older have significantly higher mortality rates due to cancer than females of the same age.
Top five cancers causing death (2018)
The most common cancer that people die from in Niagara is lung cancer, with one in every four cancer deaths being caused by lung cancer. This is followed by: colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. Overall, as age increases, mortality rates from lung cancer increase. Between 2010 and 2018, lung cancer mortality rates did not change significantly and the rates are similar for females and males. In 2018, the lung cancer mortality rate is higher for Niagara than Ontario.
Top five cancers causing death in males (2018)
The top five cancers causing death in males in Niagara are: lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and bladder cancer. Lung cancer makes up one in every four cancer deaths for males in Niagara. Between 2010 and 2018, mortality rates due to lung cancer did not change significantly in males.
Top five cancers causing death in females (2018)
The top five cancers causing death in females in Niagara are: lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. Lung cancer makes up one in every four cancer deaths for females in Niagara. Between 2010 and 2018, mortality rates due to lung cancer did not change significantly in females.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
