Cancer incidence and mortality across Canada.

OBJECTIVES This article analyses provincial and territorial patterns in incidence and mortality rates for selected cancer sites. DATA SOURCES Cancer incidence data were obtained from the National Cancer incidence Reporting System and from the Canadian Cancer Registry. Mortality data are from the Canadian Vital Statistics Data Base. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated for Canada and each province/territory for men and women for major cancer sites for the 1991-1993 period. MAIN RESULTS Geographic variations in cancer incidence and mortality rates are strongly influenced by trends in the four leading cancers: lung, colorectal, prostate and breast. Cancer rates tended to be significantly high in Quebec and Nova Scotia and significantly low in the three westernmost provinces. These patterns generally reflect provincial/territorial variations in smoking prevalence, dietary habits, and the extent of cancer control programs, such as screening.