Breast cancer versus prostate cancer

October is breast cancer month in Canada. You likely already know this because of the pink ribbons in magazines and newspapers, in stores and businesses, and on various products, or because you're supporting a run to fund breast cancer research.

Did you know September was prostate cancer awareness month?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women, while prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men. In fact, prostate cancer accounts for almost one in three cancer diagnoses among Alberta men.

In 2007, an estimated 22,300 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,300 will die of it. In 2007, an estimated 22,300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die of it.

These figures mean that, on average, 429 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every week and 83 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every week. At the same time, an average of 429 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week and 102 Canadian women will die of breast cancer every week. (In the United States, more black women die of breast cancer than white women do.)

At a local level, an estimated 2,400 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 430 will die of it in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, while an estimated 2,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 440 will die of it in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Breast cancer tends to be a more lethal cancer and tends to develop earlier in life than prostate cancer. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, for most after age sixty. One in 27 will die of it. One in nine women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and one in twenty-seven will die of it. (An estimated 170 men are diagnosed each year with breast cancer and 50 will die of it.)

However, breast cancer death rates have declined in all ages combined and in every age group since at least the mid 1990s. Incidence and death rates for breast cancer have declined since 1969 in women aged 20 to 39.

So research does make a difference, and your donations to fight cancer are important. But don't be swayed to buy pretty pink products that you wouldn't otherwise buy, and don't be coerced into donating just because it's October. The pink ribbon is appealing, but advances in all areas of cancer research are needed now.

You can make your money make a difference. Donate directly to organizations that fund cancer research rather than buying products that direct a portion of their profits to funding cancer organizations. Support products and organizations that generate funds and awareness year-round rather than just once a year. Cancer organizations are happy to receive your donation throughout the year, whether it's breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or general cancer research that you prefer to support, and most donations to registered charitable and nonprofit organizations are tax-creditable.

Cancer is an ugly disease, no matter who gets it. It is tragic when a beautiful woman in her twenties or thirties learns she has cancer, but it is also tragic when a brilliant man in his fifties or sixties learns he has cancer. This month, join the fight to end ALL cancers.

All statistics are from the Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca.