B.C. cancer incidences to skyrocket 57% over next 15 years: study

As B.C.’s population expands and ages, cancer incidences are set to grow 57 per cent by 2030, according to a new study published in the B.C. Medical Journal.

“Despite having the lowest overall cancer rates in Canada, British Columbians can be expected to experience substantially more cancers than in the past,” the study reads.

The projection is based largely on population growth. If trends continue, 5.6 million people will inhabit the province in 15 years, with one million aged 70 or older.

The four most common cancers in B.C. currently are lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer, and while that likely won’t change, the province can expect to see spikes in melanoma and thyroid cancer for both sexes and uterine cancer for women.

The study suggests that based on these findings, B.C. is going to have to make major changes to our palliative care, laboratory and diagnostic services, and pain management.

It is not all bad news, though: cancer mortality rates across the province have declined by two percent in recent years.

The increase in cancer diagnoses will be a symptom of an aging baby boomer population.