The cancer survival index: Measuring progress in cancer survival to help evaluate cancer control efforts in Canada

This study is the first comprehensive evaluation of progress in cancer survival for all cancer types combined in Canada. The results span the complete time period of the Canadian Cancer Registry and are unaffected by changes in the age, sex and case-mix of cancers over this time. Specifically, predicted Canadian net cancer survival index (CSI) estimates for the three-year period from 2015 to 2017 are presented and compared with corresponding actual estimates dating as far back as the 1992-to-1994 period. Comparisons are made for both sexes combined and for males and females separately. Further insight is provided by the determination of the most influential cancer and sex combinations and the leading cancer types within each sex, in regard to changes in the CSI since the periods of 1992 to 1994 and 2005 to 2007.