Statistics
Canadian Statistics for Multiple Myeloma
Canada is one of the few countries in the world with a cancer registry system that allows cancer patterns to be monitored for the entire population.
The provincial, territorial and national cancer registries are important resources that can be used for research, knowledge exchange, planning and decision-making at all levels.
That said, when looking at this kind of data, it is important to keep in mind that statistics:
- Are very general in nature;
- Are based on large numbers of people with cancer and cannot predict exactly what might happen to any specific person;
- Can be based on data that may be several years old, and therefore not reflect the impact of more recent advances in early detection or treatment;
- May not account for additional illnesses, individual responses to treatment, or other causes of death; and
- Can vary widely within each stage of cancer.
According to the 2017 Canadian Cancer Statistics report released by the Canadian Cancer Society, the total new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed annually in Canada are estimated at 2,900 (1,700 men and 1,200 women), which represents an incidence of 9.1 in 100,000 for men and 5.6 in 100,000 for women.
This corresponds to 1.6% of total new cases of cancer in men and 1.2% of total new cases of cancer in women.
The total number of deaths from multiple myeloma were estimated at 1,450 (810 men and 640 women).
Understanding Incidence and Prevalence
INCIDENCE: The number of new cases diagnosed in a year.
MORTALITY: The number of deaths attributed to cancer.
PREVALENCE: The total number of cases of a disease at a specific time.
Prevalence is influenced by both the incidence and the mortality rate. Prevalence increases when survival rates increase, even though incidence remains the same. As multiple myeloma patients live longer, the prevalence increases.
Incidence
Estimated new cases for multiple myeloma by sex and province, Canada, 2017
| Canada | BC | AB | SK | MB | ON | QC | NB | NS | PE | NL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 1,700 | 210 | 170 | 45 | 55 | 700 | 400 | 40 | 45 | 10 | 25 |
| Women | 1,200 | 150 | 110 | 35 | 40 | 510 | 270 | 30 | 35 | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 2,900 | 360 | 280 | 80 | 95 | 1210 | 670 | 70 | 80 | 15 | 45 |
Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) for multiple myeloma by sex and province, Canada, 2017
| Canada | BC | AB | SK | MB | ON | NB | NS | PE | NL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 9.1 | 7.9 | 9.3 | 8.0 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.1 |
| Women | 5.6 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 5.0 |
Prevalence
Prevalence of multiple myeloma by time since diagnosis and sex, Canada, January 1, 2009
| 10-year (Diagnosed since 1999) |
5-year |
2-year |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 4,100 | 3,110 | 1,560 |
| Women | 3,360 | 2,510 | 1,320 |
| Total | 7,460 | 5,615 | 2,885 |
Source: Canadian Cancer Society's Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics, Canadian Cancer Statistics 2017. Toronto, ON: Canadian Cancer Society; 2017.