Breast Cancer in Canada

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women.

Breast cancer incidence is the number of new cases diagnosed in a population over a specific time period.

• In 2008 an estimated 22,400 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• In 2008 an estimated 170 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• In 2008 an estimated 5,300 women and 50 men will die from breast cancer
• One in nine (11%) Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime if she lives to age 90
• One in 28 Canadian women will die of breast cancer

The Good News

• Since 1999, the incidence of breast cancer in Canada has stabilized
• Since 1986, breast cancer mortality rates have declined by 25%
• The current five-year survival rate for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer is 87% 
• There has been significant improvement in survival rates since the mid-80’s largely as a result of improvements in screening and treatment

Source: Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008, Toronto, Canada 2008