Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both genders.
From the 1970s to the present, among women, there has been a steady and significant decline in mortality rates for all cancers combined exclusive of lung cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Canada, being responsible for almost one-third of all potential years of life lost. Because of its relative frequency among younger Canadians and poor survival rates, lung cancer is by far the leading cause of premature death due to cancer.