Canadians are more likely to survive cancer — UK study

Canadians are likely to survive cancer than their counterparts in the UK, Denmark or Norway says a new six-country study published in the Lancet. The study looked at 12 jurisdictions in six countries covering four cancers – colorectal, lung, breast, and ovarian. Data covered the period 1995-2007. Survival rates were persistently higher in Australia, Canada and Sweden. Curiously, among the four Canadian jurisdictions – Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and BC – survival in Alberta was three to five per cent lower. The study suggests Denmark and the UK fare the worst because of issues around late diagnosis. The countries chosen for the study had similar wealth, universal health coverage, and high-quality cancer registration. The study was sponsored by the Department of Health, England; and Cancer Research UK.