Positive trends seen in province’s cancer fight
When Nigel Brockton was first diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma as an 18-year-old, the five-year survival rate was a mere 10 per cent. When the cancer returned three years later, his chance of survival rose to 50 per cent. But if he was diagnosed with the same malignant tumour today, his chances of living longer than five years would be pretty great, at 70 to 80 per cent.
“So when I hear people say we haven’t made enough progress, I beg to differ. If we hadn’t made any progress, I wouldn’t be here.”
Brockton, a cancer scientist, is a living example of new statistics released Feb. 3.
Although the overall number of people getting cancer is rising — due to an increasing and aging population — Alberta’s mortality rates have decreased over the past 20 years, falling on average by 2.1 per cent between 2004 and 2014. Cancer incidence rates also declined, by about 0.6 per cent between 2001 and 2014. In 2016, an estimated 6,500 Albertans died of cancer and 18,400 new cases were diagnosed.
“These numbers are notable. It says we are more effective at detecting cancer and better at treating it,” said Myka Osinchuk, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. She said they’re seeing a positive trend in many kinds of cancer, such as breast and testicular. “Thirty years ago that was a death sentence.”
The data in the 2017 Report on Cancer Statistics in Alberta shows the significant impact of early detection and cancer screening. Breast cancer patients, for example, have a three-year survival rate of 98 per cent when diagnosed in stages 1 or 2. That drops to 36 per cent in stage 4. Five-year survival for prostate patients is 99 per cent if diagnosed in stages 1 or 2 but 44 per cent when found at stage 4.
“We still have a long way to go and that’s why donors are so crucial,” said Osinchuck.
To raise awareness of the importance of donations, and to mark World Cancer Day on Feb. 4, Alberta Cancer Foundation and AHS staff, researchers and cancer survivors took to a treadmill and exercise bike at Tom Baker Cancer Centre on Friday.
“Even though it’s a serious issue, we’re celebrating the fact we’re making progress and improving the lives of people with cancer,” said Osinchuk. “More than 43 people every day hear the three words ‘you have cancer.’ We say three words in return — ‘we will help.’ ”
The event also promoted upcoming fundraisers: The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day, 200-kilometre bike ride that has raised more than $60 million in nine years; and OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, a 25-kilometre walk that raised almost $1 million in its first year in 2016.
“The impact is huge — $60 million only happens because we have people who ride, people who sponsor or who donate,” said Osinchuk.
Brockton has cycled every year since the ride started and is captain of the One Aim team which has raised more than $2 million. Although he’s uniquely qualified to participate — as a two-time cancer survivor, a researcher, and a former speed skier — his team of 100-plus riders shows anyone can get involved.
“Our tagline is all shapes, all sizes, all ages. Our youngest is 16 and the oldest is 76.”