Biophotonic techniques have made inroads for the diagnosis and treatment of several types of cancer over the last decade. The impact of cancer, and particularly breast cancer, is evident in data released in April by the Canadian Cancer Society. The following Ontario data are found in Canadian Cancer Statistics 2000. An estimated 49,900 people in Ontario will be diagnosed with cancer , and 23,700 will die in 2000.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian women.
According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative breast cancer incidence among women has risen steadily, but gradually, over the past decade. This increase may be due to the rising number of mammographic examinations since the mid-1980s, but may also be affected by reproductive histories. However, while incidence is rising, mortality rates for breast cancer have declined steadily since 1986. Similar declines are also occurring in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Further research is needed to determine whether early detection through screening, improved treatment, changes in risk or protective factors are responsible for this decline.