A new Statistics Canada report shows that the five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients has doubled over the past three decades, rising from 13 per cent in 1992 to 27 per cent in 2021. The improvement is largely attributed to advances in treatment, including the use of immunotherapy, which stimulates a patient’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Despite these gains, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all such fatalities—more than any other form of the disease.
The report also highlights the stark contrast in outcomes between cancer types. Cancers with five-year survival rates of 90 per cent or more include thyroid, testicular, prostate, and breast cancers, as well as melanoma of the skin. In contrast, some cancers continue to have survival rates under 10 per cent, such as mesothelioma—which affects the protective membrane around most internal organs—and bile duct cancer in the liver. These cancers, along with pancreatic cancer, are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages when they have already spread, making treatment far more difficult.
While the rising survival rate for lung cancer marks a significant step forward, the findings underscore the ongoing need for earlier detection, improved treatment access, and continued research to address the cancers with the poorest outcomes.