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Five-Year Lung Cancer Survival in Canada Rises to 27% After Three Decades

Statistics Canada attributes the rise largely to immunotherapy; lung cancer still causes almost one in four cancer deaths

In this Sept. 5, 2013 file photo, an infusion drug to treat cancer is administered to a patient via intravenous drip at Duke Cancer Center in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Overview

  • Statistics Canada reports five-year survival for lung cancer climbed from about 13% in 1992 to 27% by 2021.
  • Wider adoption of immunotherapy and targeted treatments in the early 2010s is identified as a major contributor to the improved outcomes.
  • Despite these gains, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality in Canada, accounting for nearly 25% of deaths from the disease.
  • The report highlights stark contrasts across cancer types, with thyroid, testicular, prostate and breast cancers plus melanoma exceeding 90% five-year survival while mesothelioma, bile-duct and pancreatic cancers linger below 10%.
  • Provinces including Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia began organized lung cancer screening programs in 2022, which experts expect to drive further improvements in early detection and survival.