Statistics help show the “big picture” but do not predict individual outcomes
Canada is one of few countries in the world with a national “cancerA term for diseases in which malignant cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. registry system” that allows cancer measures to be monitored across the entire population.
The provincial, territorial, and national cancer registries are important resources. They provide the raw data necessary for better research, knowledge exchange, planning, and decision-making at all levels.
When looking at this kind of data, it is important to keep in mind that because statistics/rates (like incidenceThe number of new cases of a disease diagnosed each year., prevalence, 5-year survival, average annual percent change) are based on large numbers of people with cancer, they cannot predict exactly what might happen to any specific person. They can sometimes be very general in nature, and for others, too specific.
Statistics are often just estimates, made with data that may be several years old and might not reflect the impact of more recent advances in early detection and/or treatments.
Statistics may not account for the impact of other factors such as additional illnesses or causes of death, individual responses to treatments, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Canadian Cancer Statistics1 and Statistics Canada2
Percent distribution of projected new cancer cases1: More males (130,100) than females (124,100) were projected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2026. Of those, myeloma accounts for 1.9% of cases in males and 1.5% of cases in females.
Projected new myeloma cases and incidence rate1: The number of new myeloma cases diagnosed in 2026 was estimated at 4,400 (2,500 males and 1,850 females—representing an age-standardized incidence rate of 12.5 in 100,000 for males and 7.9 in 100,000 for females).
Approximately 12 people are diagnosed with myeloma each day.1
Projected myeloma deaths and death rate1: The expected number of deaths in 2026 from myeloma in Canada was estimated at 1,800 (1,050 males and 720 females; totals do not add up due to rounding) — representing an age-standardized mortality rate of 5.3 in 100,000 for males and 2.9 in 100,000 for females.
Predicted five-year net myeloma survival over time (2019–2021 versus 1992–1994): Compared to other cancers, myeloma has had one of the largest increases in survival over time (27 percentage points). The five-year survival for myeloma between 2019-2021 was predicted to be 54% (males and females combined), meaning that 54% of myeloma cases will survive at least 5 years past diagnosis. 2 The 10-year age-standardized survival for myeloma between 2015–2017 was predicted to be 30% (males and females combined).1
According to a Canadian Cancer Statistics 2022 special report on cancer prevalences
As of January 1, 2018, the 25-year prevalence of myeloma (diagnosed since 1993) was determined to be 15,030 (8,475 males and 6,555 females). Comparatively, more Canadians were living with myeloma in January 2018 than with better-known cancers of the stomach (13,555), brain and other nervous system (13,385), pancreas (7,500), liver (6,825), and esophagus (5,100).