Epidemiology of the ten most common neoplasms.

Excluding skin cancer, the most prevalent cancers in Canada are those of lung, breast, colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas, uterus, ovary, prostate and bladder, besides leukemia and lymphomas. Those of the lung, and to a lesser extent pancreas and uterus and the lymphomas are increasing, while stomach, cervix and bladder in females are decreasing. The etiological factors believed relevant are discussed for each of these sites, but two are common to a number of sites: at least a third of cancer cases and 40% of cancer deaths are probably attributable to cigaret smoking and excess fat in the diet.