Vancouverites have smaller chance of getting cancer: report

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If you live in Vancouver, chances are you live a healthier lifestyle than most Canadians and that means you have a better cancer risk profile.

That’s one of the findings of a new report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer entitled Population Health in Canada’s Largest Cities.

“We’ve always shown a gradient from west to east in terms of the west coast having a better health status overall,” Director of System Performance Dr. Rami Rahal tells News1130.

“The west typically has lower obesity, less smoking and more physical activity.  That actually translates to better outcomes, so we have a lower incidents rate of cancer along the west coast.”

While Vancouver is at or near the top of several categories, it ranks 24th out of 25 cities when it comes to second-hand smoke exposure.

“That’s an idea that obviously requires further attention,” he says.  “It’s true larger cities seem to have higher reported rates of exposure because population density, but it’s still something that needs to be looked at.”

Rami says the research suggests cities that have bylaws aimed at preventing second-hand smoke exposure tend to have lower rates.

Screening Concerns in BC

One of the alarming findings is Metro Vancouver’s breast cancer screening rate is ranked second last out of the 25 areas the study examines.

“There’s obviously opportunity there to improve participation in the target population of women,” says Rahal.

“On the cervical cancer side, both the city of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver are in the middle of the pack.  There are opportunities to improve there because if you look at Victoria, it actually ranks first in Pap test rates.”

Rahal hopes municipalities use the research to find out what Vancouver can do to catch up to Victoria.

The report can be viewed here.