Latest Research

Canadians Among Top Worldwide for Surviving Certain Cancers
B.C. ranks highest in Canada.

Canada consistently ranks near the top in a worldwide estimate of five-year survival rates for cancer patients, according to an international study which found huge variations from country to country and even within some nations' borders. Within Canada, B.C. ranks highest in terms of five-year survival rates. 1

Five Year Survival Rates (%)

What contributes to these great outcomes?

British Columbians have the best cancer outcomes and some of the highest standards of cancer care in Canada, due in part to the success of the BC Cancer Agency's population-based approach to cancer control, where every aspect of care provides new knowledge for researchers.

B.C.’s province-wide, population-based cancer control program covers the spectrum from prevention and screening, to diagnosis, treatment, and through to rehabilitation and end of life care.

This process is aided by an extensive cancer registry started in 1938, that carefully documents information about cancer patients in B.C. so that researchers and clinicians can track the impact of cancer and cancer care on the entire patient population.

The unique population-based approach to cancer at the BC Cancer Agency has a direct impact on every British Columbian; from prevention and province-wide screening to early detection and treatment. Cervical screening and screening mammograms are just two of the many examples of this approach. Should you or a loved one be touched by cancer the treatment will be of the highest calibre, thanks to the knowledge gained through the BC Cancer Agency’s population-based approach to cancer.

The BC Cancer Agency is also committed to providing all patients with access to a full range of quality cancer services, regardless of where they live in our province. Through a network of regional cancer centres, community cancer centres and other cancer services and programs, cancer patients and family members in B.C. are supported as close to home as possible.

If you have received cancer care in B.C., whether it was at a regional BC Cancer Agency centre, a local hospital, a community clinic or health centre or even cancer screening delivered by your own doctor, you are benefiting from the work of the BC Cancer Agency.

The BC Cancer Foundation

The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency, throughout British Columbia. Your donations to the BC Cancer Foundation contribute to better cancer outcomes and higher standards of cancer care for all B.C. residents.

1 The CONCORD study directly compares survival rates in 31 countries for four malignancies – breast cancer in women, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer in men and colorectal cancer in women. The study included data from cancer registries in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia, representing 58 per cent of the Canada's population. Full report: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/v5/content/pdf/CONCORD.pdf