The following facts are based on an analysis of Nova Scotia Cancer Registry data for the period 2004 to 2008, the most recent period for which complete data exist.
- More than 28,000 people were diagnosed with invasive cancer in the five-year period 2004-2008. Cancer incidence was 11% higher in males (14,577 cases) than females (13,112 cases).
- Prostate, lung and colorectal cancers accounted for 59% of all cancer cases recorded for males between 2004 and 2008.
- Breast, colorectal and lung cancers accounted for 57% of all cancer recorded between 2004 and 2008.
- Among males, prostate is the most commonly occurring type of cancer, affecting approximately 800 men annually in the province.
- Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among females in Nova Scotia, affecting nearly 710 women annually.
The following tables and figures provide more information about the burden of cancer in Nova Scotia. For greater detail regarding cancer incidence, mortality, survival, prevalence and projections in Nova Scotia, please refer to the Understanding Cancer in Nova Scotia report.
Table 1. New cases of invasive cancer, grouped by cancer site, Nova Scotia, 2004-2008.
Table 2. Incidence counts and rates of invasive cancers, by gender and District Health Authority (DHA), common cancer sites, Nova Scotia 2008.
Table 3. Incidence rates of invasive cancers, by gender and county, common cancer sites, Nova Scotia 2004-2008.
Table 4. Incidence rates of invasive cancers, by gender and District Health Authority (DHA), common cancer sites, Nova Scotia 2004-2008.
Figure 1. Average annual age-specific incidence rate for common cancer sites in females (A), males (B) and for all cancers (C), Nova Scotia 2004-2008.
Figure 2. Comparative incidence figures (CIF) of cancer rates1, comparing DHA and provincial level estimates, All Cancers (A), Prostate and Breast (B), Lung (C) and Colorectal (D) cancers, by gender, 2004-2008.