Cancer society expects 5,100 new cases in N.B. this year
Number of cancer cases to increase 40 per cent in Canada over next 15 years
The Canadian Cancer Society is estimating there will be 5,100 new cases of cancer in New Brunswick this year.
In the release of its 2015 cancer statistics, the organization says lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers will account for the majority of newly-diagnosed cancers in the province.
It is expected there will be 1,930 deaths from cancer in the province, split almost evenly between males and females.
More than 25 per cent of all cancer deaths will be due to lung cancer.
The cancer society expects new cancer cases in Canada to increase by 40 per cent within 15 years. Projections for New Brunswick are slightly lower than the national average.
The increase is expected to be driven by upsurges in prostate and colorectal cancer cases.
"Much progress has already been made in the fight against cancer, including better survival rates for many cancer types," said Anne McTiernan-Gamble, the CEO of the New Brunswick chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society.
"A growing and aging population, however, will result in an increase in cancer cases and we are urging the government of New Brunswick to take steps now to prepare for this surge."