Did you know that every three minutes a Canadian is diagnosed with cancer?
In 2010 there was about 173,800 new cases of cancer across Canada, including about 21,600 in BC.
Last year there were 9,500 cancer deaths in BC and 76,200 cancer deaths across Canada.
Last year more than 21,000 new cases were diagnosed which means two out of five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their life time and one in four Canadians will die from it, said Nancy Shelford, volunteer engagement coordinator with Canadian Cancer Society, Northern Region.
"The better news about this is that 50 per cent can be prevented."
In women the most common forms of cancer are breast, lung and colorectal. In men the most common are prostate, lung and colorectal, and in children, the most common is leukemia.
"As our population ages the cancer rate is expected to increase by 60 per cent over the next 20 years, if we do nothing to stem it," said Shelford.
That's why cancer month in April should be noted and taken to heart by all in supporting fund raising for research, support programs for those seeking cancer information and emotional support, as well as cancer camps for children, youth and families.
The little yellow daffodil pin that emerged last year in B.C. has now made its way across the nation to join the fight against cancer.
Donations from daffodil sales and the pins, which include little pin stoppers, to prevent them from falling off, and the door-to door campaign will help save lives.
In addition, funds support transportation services and lodge accommodations provided in Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, and soon in Prince George, when the Kordyban Lodge is built to complement the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North.
Daffodil month was launched throughout the city this past weekend with flowers and pins distributed at numerous locations and the hoisting of the flag at city hall.
Daffodil Day on August 27 is an opportunity for all Canadians to pay tribute and honour to those who are facing cancer. CCS, the largest cancer research supporter, is a national organization of community volunteers whose mission is to stamp out cancer, and enhance the quality of life of people living with it until a cure is found.
"It takes courage to take on a fight with cancer. Help get our daffodil onto the lapels of British Columbians. We need to show those affected by cancer that they are not alone - we are fighting with them," said Margaret Jones-Bricker, northern region director.
The society invests $48 million in cancer research each year, including support of more than 500 researchers. For more information, call the Prince George office at 250-564-0885, or visit www.cancer.ca.
FACT BOX
With the exception of lung cancer in women, death rates for most major cancers have stabilized or declined during the past decade in Canada.
The rate of new cancer cases and deaths from cancer are lower in BC than anywhere in Canada.
BC men have the second lowest overall incidence rates of cancer in Canada, and the lowest incidence rate for lung and colorectal cancers.
BC men have the lowest overall mortality rate for cancers in Canada, and the lowest mortality rate for prostate, colorectal and lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in Canada.
About 62 per cent of Canadians diagnosed today with cancer will survive five years after their diagnosis.
