October 2004

Information

Diagnosis and Initial Treatment of Cancer in Canadian Adolescents 15 to 19 Years of Age

Although cancer in children and adolescents is relatively uncommon, it nevertheless represents the leading disease-related cause of death among Canadians 1 to 19 years of age. Every year in Canada, about 400 adolescents are diagnosed with cancer, and about 75 deaths occur. The good news is that considerably more children and adolescents survive cancer today than ever before.

This report provides Canadian information on the diagnoses and initial treatment patterns of Canadian adolescents diagnosed with cancer between 1995 and 2000. The report aims to:

• raise overall awareness of adolescent cancer issues among readers within the Canadian pediatric oncology community;
• provide health information related to diagnosis and initial treatment patterns to Canadian clinicians within the pediatric oncology community; and
• focus attention on key issues related to adolescent cancer control and care in Canada.

The report was developed by Health Canada in collaboration with key cancer stakeholders who participated in the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program. The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program was established in 1992 to improve childhood cancer control in Canada. It is a partnership of the new Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial governments, health care providers, researchers and voluntary organizations involved in the control and management of cancer in young people.

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Backgrounder:

• Progress Report on Cancer Control in Canada