Media advisory - February 4, 2026 is World Cancer Day
Canada NewsWire
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 29, 2026
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -
What | Next week is World Cancer Day — a global movement uniting people, organizations and governments around the world to raise awareness, honour those affected by cancer, and drive collective action that can save and improve lives. |
When | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 |
Why | World Cancer Day brings people and communities together to reflect on how far we've come in improving cancer outcomes and to renew our commitment to sustaining that progress. Canada has made real, measurable strides in reducing the burden of cancer, but progress is not guaranteed. With cancer cases rising in a growing, aging population, we must continue to work together to drive collective action against cancer. |
How | Spokespeople from the Canadian Cancer Society are available to discuss World Cancer Day and offer broad insights into Canada's cancer landscape, including current cancer trends. |
Key statistics | • Cancer incidence is on the decline — rates are down -1.2% annually for males since 2011 and -0.4% annually for females since 2012. • Mortality rates for all cancers combined peaked in 1988 and have been declining ever since — decreasing 42% in males and 28% in females. o Mortality rates have declined for most cancer types. o Mortality rates for lung, colorectal and bladder cancers have been declining rapidly (more than -3% per year) in recent years. o Leukemia mortality rates have been decreasing by almost -3% per year since 2017. • 64% of people diagnosed with cancer in Canada today are expected to survive 5 years or more compared to only 25% in the 1940s. |
SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)
