There are over 100,000 people living with, or in remission from, a blood cancer in Canada.
18,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2013; or someone every 28 minutes.
6,850 Canadians will die from a blood cancer this year; or one person every 77 minutes.
Overall, men are diagnosed with a blood cancer more frequently than women.
Leukemia & lymphoma account for almost half of all childhood cancers (age 0-14 years).
LEUKEMIA
This year, 5,800 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia, and 2,600 will die.
Leukemia, all types, has a 5-year survival rate of 59%.
One in 53 males will develop leukemia in their lifetime and one in 96 will die. One in 72 females will develop
leukemia in their lifetime and one in 134 will die.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in adults in Canada.
Leukemia remains the most common pediatric cancer (those age 14 & under). Leukemia accounts for 34% of all
childhood cancers and causes 27% of deaths due to childhood cancer.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the most common pediatric leukemia, has a very good prognosis with a 5-year
survival rate of approximately 90%. Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is harder to treat, with a 5-year
survival rate of 67%.
LYMPHOMA
This year, 8,900 Canadians will be diagnosed with lymphoma, and 2,700 will die.
Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer, and mortality rates continue to drop. It has a 5-year
survival rate of 86%.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in Canada. It has a 5-year survival rate of 67%.
One in 41 males will develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma in their lifetime and one in 95 will die. One in 52 females will
develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma in their lifetime and one in 110 will die.
Lymphoma causes 11% of all new childhood cancers (age 0-14). Children diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma have a
94% chance of survival and those diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have an 82% survival rate.
MYELOMA
This year, 2,500 Canadians will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and 1,350 will die.
Myeloma has a 5-year survival rate of 43%.
One in 131 males will develop myeloma in their lifetime and one in 205 will die. One in 157 females will develop
myeloma in their lifetime and one in 247 will die.
MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES (MDS)
This year, approximately 1,400 Canadians will be diagnosed with MDS.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada® (LLSC) is Canada’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to
blood cancer. The LLSC mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality
of life of patients and their families. LLSC funds lifesaving blood cancer research across Canada and provides free
information and support services.
Founded in 1955, LLSC has offices across Canada. To learn more, visit www.llscanada.org or contact 1-877-668-8326.
Charitable Business No. 10762 3654 RR0001.
Canadian Cancer Society’s Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2013. Toronto, ON: Canadian Cancer Society, 2013.
2013 BLOOD CANCER STATISTICS