# Yukon Cancer Incidence Report, 2013-2023

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Government of Yukon, Population and Public Health, Evidence and Evaluation

# Introduction

The Yukon Cancer Incidence Report, 2013-2023, presents a summary of cancer information to help us understand the presence of cancer in the Yukon. This report provides a detailed summary of cancer incidence and trends, including the rate of new cases of cancer. This report aims to examine the landscape of cancer, including cancer sites, distribution among females and males, age at diagnosis, and cancer stage at diagnosis. The content of this report will be useful for health professionals and policy-makers when making decisions about cancer control and prevention in the Yukon. Members of the public, media, and educators may find value in this report as well. Yukon cancer data available for this report is from the Yukon Cancer Registry, which is a population-based registry of cancer cases diagnosed among Yukon residents.

# How to use this report

This is an interactive surveillance report. For additional data, hover your cursor over a bar or line on a figure. Drop down functions on several figures also allow the user to view data for a certain cancer site or sex.

# Summary

## All cancer incidence

Between 2013 and 2023, 1,923 cases of cancer were diagnosed in the Yukon. An average of 79 (in females) and 96 (in males) new cancer cases were diagnosed annually. It is important to consider that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the cancer diagnoses, driven by differences in healthcare seeking behaviours, availability and access to healthcare services. The number of individuals diagnosed with cancer is expected to increase with the growing and aging population, and will have implications on health care demands across Canada. Overall, the cancer rate in the Yukon appears to have been similar to the Canadian rates, although rates from 2015-2018 through to 2020-2023. Among females, several years appear lower in the Yukon, including 2014, 2017, and 2021. Rates among males appeared to be lower in 2021. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitation of the Yukon Cancer Registry data for 2017-2023, where there are data quality issues due missing incident cases from Vital Statistics and the Discharge Abstract Database.

## Most common cancers

Among all new cancer cases diagnosed in the Yukon, the four most common cancers diagnosed were female breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung. These four cancers are also the most common cancers diagnosed across Canada [1]. This report includes stage of cancer at diagnoses. Early detection for some cancers may lead to better outcomes, and clinicians and health planners may benefit from data on stage at diagnosis distribution for planning health care resources.

## Breast cancer

Female breast cancer rates from 2013-2023 were similar in the Yukon and Canada [1], although more variability in case counts results in unstable rates in the territory due to the small population. Most breast cancer cases in the Yukon were diagnosed among the 50-74 age group, and were predominantly diagnosed at stage one. Early detection factors include breast cancer screening programs, public awareness of symptoms, and access to primary care for women with symptoms.

## Colorectal cancer

Out of all cancer cases diagnosed among men and women, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among men, and third among women. Aside from an expected increase in colorectal cancer cases diagnosed from sceening incentives with the roll out of the ColonCheck screening program in 2018, cancer rates have been similar to Canada [1]. Most colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed between stage three, two, and four, respectively, and are mainly between the ages of 50-74.

## Lung cancer

Out of all cancer cases diagnosed among men and women, the proportion of lung cancer cases was similar. Lung cancer was the second most common cancer diagnosis among women and the third most common among men. Over the period of time covered in this report, lung cancer rates in the Yukon have been similar to the rates across Canada [1]. Most cases diagnosed in the Yukon among women were stage four, three, and one, respectively, and stage four, one, and 3, respectively, among males. Lung cancer cases that are diagnosed at earlier stages are associated with better outcomes. Stage at diagnosis is similar to that across Canada.

In the Yukon, approximately 19.5% of the population self-reported as being a current (daily or occasional) smoker in 2022, which is an important risk factor for lung cancer. The self-reported smoking estimate in the Yukon is approximately 10% higher than the Canadian self-reported smoking estimate. Among non-smokers, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer, while smokers with radon exposure face an elevated risk, amplifying their likelihood of developing lung cancer.

For smoking cessation supports, Quitpath is an evidence-based smoking, vaping (nicotine), and commercial tobacco cessation program that offers free coaching and nicotine replacement therapy to all Yukon communities. Information on other health behaviours among Yukoners can be found in the 2023 Health Status Report.

## Cancer incidence by Yukon regional populations

Over the period of data this report covers, the cancer rate in the rural Yukon appears to have been higher than the cancer rate in urban Yukon areas; however, this trends appears to be decreasing and the rural and urban rates have been becoming more similar.

## Data limitation

At this time, Vital Statistics death data and Discharge Abstract Data have not been integrated into the Yukon Cancer Registry for 2017-2023 and 2021-2023, respectively. As a result, missing cases may artificially deflate Yukon cancer rates, comparisons to Canada, and cases of certain cancer sites. The Government of Yukon is actively working to resolve the issue in collaboration with BC Cancer and the Yukon Hospital Corporation. Although the number of missing cases per year is likely small, these changes can make a noticeable difference in the context of a small jurisdiction. Future reporting will include addition validated cancer incidence cases, and analysis will reflect these updates for 2017 on wards.

# All-cancer incidence cases

From 2013 to 2023, an average of 79 and 96 new cancer cases were diagnosed annually among females and males in the Yukon, respectively (Figure 1). The annual number of cases among females ranged from 50 to 104, and 73 to 114 among males. The yearly variation may be attributed to the small population of the Yukon and small case counts. With cancer incidence anticipated to rise with the growing and aging population, investigating cancer trends is important for ensuring adequate resources can be available to assist patients along their cancer journey.

#### Figure 1. Number of New Cancer Cases by Sex and Year, 2013-2022

###### Notes: Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (neoplasms, NOS; epithelial neoplasms, NOS; and basal and squamous).

# All-cancer incidence rates

Cancer incidence rates were adjusted for age of the population, which is important because cancer risk varies significantly with age. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) provide a more accurate measure of cancer burden across populations by accounting for differences in age distribution. To stabilize year-to-year variability due to the small number of cases, rolling four-year ASIRs for 2013 through 2023 are shown in Figure 2a.

#### Figure 2a. Rolling All-Cancer Age-Standardized Incidence Rates by Sex, 2013-2023

###### Notes: Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (neoplasms, NOS; epithelial neoplasms, NOS; and basal and squamous).

Figure 2b shows the ASIRs by sex and year for the Yukon and Canada, although data for Canada (excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia) is only available until 2022 [1]. The all-cancer ASIRs for the Yukon did not suggest a statistically significant difference from the Canadian rates. The variation in rates at the Yukon level are due to small numbers, but the overall trend appears to align with the gradually declining trends at the national level.

#### Figure 2b. All-Cancer Age-Standardized Incidence Rates by Sex and Year, Yukon and Canada, 2013-2022

###### Notes: Data for Canada (excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia) is only available up to 2022. Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (neoplasms, NOS; epithelial neoplasms, NOS; and basal and squamous). Shaded areas in Figure 2b represent the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the Yukon rates, indicating the range of values within which we are 95% confident the true rate lies.

# Most common cancers in the Yukon

From 2013 to 2023, the most common cancers diagnosed in the Yukon were female breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung; accounting for 52.7% of the new cancer cases. Other cancer types accounted for 47.3% of new cancer cases diagnosed. This includes a category summarizing several less common cancer types, which together made up 6.8% of new cancer cases diagnosed. Additional cancer types diagnosed in the Yukon included Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) (4.6%), head and neck (4.3%), and kidney (2.8%). We acknowledge and recognize individuals affected by less common or rare cancer types. While counts are too small to report publicly, in order to protect privacy and confidentiality, lived experiences are important and are reflected in our broader understanding of cancer diagnoses and care.

Among females, the most common were female breast (31.6%), lung (12.8%), and colorectal (11.9%). Among males, the most common were prostate (23.3%), colorectal (14.6%), and lung (11.8%). The same four cancers were the most commonly diagnosed across Canada [1].

# Trends by cancer type

The ASIRs for the most common cancer types diagnosed in the Yukon and Canada (excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia due to data availability) are shown below. Female breast cancer has been relatively stable in Canada [1], and despite the variability in the Yukon, changes do not appear to be statistically significant. Overall colorectal cancer appears to have been on the decline in Canada from 2013-2023, and aside from a spike in 2018, rates have been in a similar range in the Yukon. The spike in colorectal cancers diagnosed in the Yukon in 2018 may be attributable to increased colorectal screening through the ColonCheck screening program that launched across the territory in 2017. Lung cancer rates in Canada appear to have declined overall from 2013 to 2022. Whereas lung cancer rates in the Yukon appear to have fluctuated over the period of 2013-2023, although not significantly off from Canadian rates. Nationally, overall prostate cancer appears to have been on the rise over the period of data in this report, with a declined in incidence in 2020. In the Yukon, rates have varied since 2013, but have overall been similar the Canadian prostate cancer rates (Figure 3).

#### Figure 3. Age-Standardized Incidence Rates for Common Cancer Types, Yukon and Canada, 2013-2022

###### Notes: Data for Canada (excluding Quebec and Nova Scotia) is only available up to 2022. Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (neoplasms, NOS; epithelial neoplasms, NOS; and basal and squamous). Shaded areas in Figure 3 represent the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the Yukon, indicating the range of values within which we are 95% confident the true rate lies.

# All-cancer incidence by sex and age groups

From 2013 to 2023, the Yukon population grew from 36,569 to 45,169 based on mid-year data [3]. Cancer incidence rates vary between sex and age groups. Looking at cancer incidence by sex and age can provide a sense of who in a population is developing cancer, and can inform planning for cancer prevention, early detection, and health care services.

#### Figure 4. Distribution of Yukon and Canada Populations by Age Group and Sex, 2023

###### Notes: Population estimates are based on mid-year population.

Between 2013 and 2023, 55.1% of all cancer cases diagnosed were among males, and 44.9% were among females (Figure 5).

Cancer primarily affects older people, particularly Canadians over the age of 50 [1]. Over the 11-year period of 2013-2023, 88.4% of all new cancer cases in the Yukon occurred among people age 50 years and older. The distribution of age groups provides insight of what age groups are diagnosed with cancer, but does not indicate whether incidence rate by age group are different than national rates.

Proportions of age at diagnosis by sex (based on all age and sex groups combined adding up to 100%) are shown in Figure 5. Proportions of age at diagnoses for all cancer incidence was similar between females and males. All cancer incidence among all age groups was similar to what we would expect relative to Canadian rates.

#### Figure 5. Percent Distribution of Cancer Incidence for Groups by Sex and Age, 2013-2023

###### Notes: Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers (neoplasms, NOS; epithelial neoplasms, NOS; and basal and squamous).Proportions cannot be compared between groups for statistical meaning, as differences in the population can distort the interpretation. The proportion can provide insight into the relative distribution. Note that the sum of all sex and age data is 100%.

When grouping all-cancer incidence by the age groups 20-49 and 50+, there were no statistically significant changes in either age group over the period of 2013 to 2023 (20-49: APC = -2.47, 95% CI = -6.58, 1.83; 50+: APC = 1.28, 95% CI = -0.27, 2.86). At the national level, there are concerns about increasing rates of cancer among young people, but at this time, this finding is not reflected in the Yukon cancer rates.

# Cancer incidence by age for screenable cancers

Screening recommendations are published by Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) [2], and are integrated in the Yukon. Examining incidence by age groups for cancers with screening guidelines is useful for understanding the proportion of cancers that were diagnosed within the recommended age groups for screening. This information can assist in cross-jurisdictional evaluation of current screening access and guiding future screening programs in the Yukon.

Breast cancer screening is available in the Yukon through the Yukon Mammography Program at the Whitehorse General Hospital, and colorectal cancer screening is available using an at-home screening test. Tables 1 and 2 included the number and proportion of cancer cases by age group for female breast cancer and colorectal cancer among both sexes.

Cervical cancer screening is also available in the Yukon. Cervical cancer screening assists in identifying abnormalities that can be address before progressing to a cancer case. For confidentiality and deniability reasons, the incidence and rate of cervical cancers have not been included in this report. Although not reflected in the period of data in this report, HPV self-swabbing has been made available in the Yukon as of March 2026.

### Breast cancer

Female breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in the Yukon, as well as among all Canadian women [1]. Women aged 50-74 are recommended for routine screening with mammography every 2 to 3 years, based on risk. Women aged 40-49, if high risk, are also recommended for routine screening with mammography [2].

From 2013 to 2023, 273 cases of female breast cancer cases were diagnosed in the Yukon (Table 1). The majority of cases were among the screening age group of 50-74; however, collectively about 30% of cases were diagnosed outside of standard screening age, including 12.09% of all cases diagnosed among the 40-49 age group (falling within the high-risk or self-refer group). While breast cancer screening primarily identifies cases within the recommended age groups, some individuals were diagnosed outside these guidelines, who may have sought care as a result of specific breast concerns.

#### Table 1. Number and Proportion of Female Breast Cancer Cases by Age, 2013-2023

Age Group | Cases | Proportion (%)
--- | --- | ---
20-39 | 11 | 4.03
40-49 | 33 | 12.09
50-74 | 192 | 70.33
75+ | 37 | 13.55
Total | 273 | 100.00

### Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second and third most common cancer in the Yukon by males and females, respectively. Similarly, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed across Canada [1]. The decline observed in Canada over the past few decades is partially attributed to colorectal screening, which can identify precancerous lesions which when treated can prevent cancer and reduce the incidence of cancer in a population. A decrease in colorectal cancer mortality is related to the decrease in colorectal cancer incidence and improvements in screening, earlier diagnosis, and treatment options.

CTFPHC guidelines suggest that adults age 50-74 should receive screening [2]. ColonCheck Yukon is a colorectal cancer screening program aimed at early detection of pre-cancerous lesions among average risk adults in the Yukon. Screening is available using Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which is a type of Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), and is a take-home test that can detect early signs of colon cancer.

Over the 11-year period of 2013-2023, most colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed in individuals age 50-74 (67.1%), with the other proportion of individuals falling outside these guidelines, likely after developing symptoms.

#### Table 2. Number and Proportion of Colorectal Cancer Cases by Age, 2013-2023

Age Group | Cases | Proportion (%)
--- | --- | ---
20-49 | 22 | 8.53
50-74 | 173 | 67.05
75+ | 63 | 24.42
Total | 258 | 100.00

# Cancer stage at diagnosis for select cancers

Figures 6, 7, and 8 show the stage distribution of female breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Although cervical cancer screening is available through providers in the Yukon, the cancer incidence by stage level could not be included in this report for confidentiality reasons. Staging data is only presented from 2018 to 2023 to reflect a change in stage reporting from prior years.

Stage at diagnosis is useful in understanding treatment options and outcomes, as well as planning for health care resource demand. Understanding the landscape of stage at diagnosis also highlights areas where efforts in screening may be needed. For example, if routinely screened cancer has low uptake and is primarily being diagnosed at late stage, efforts to increase screening access may help shift the distribution of stage at diagnosis to an earlier and more treatable stage.

Stage unknown indicates that not enough information was provided to accurately stage the cancer. For 2018 onward, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM8 staging system is used [4]. Staging for prostate cancer is not included in this report due to the high number of stage unknown classifications based on the current methods.

#### Figure 6. Female Breast Cancer Percent Stage Distribution, 2018-2023

###### Notes: Proportions or percentages cannot be compared between groups for statistical meaning, as differences in the population can distort the interpretation. Proportions can provide insight into the relative distribution.

#### Figure 7. Colorectal cancer Percent Stage Distribution by Sex, 2018-2023

###### Notes: Proportions or percentages cannot be compared between groups for statistical meaning, as differences in the population can distort the interpretation. Proportions can provide insight into the relative distribution.

#### Figure 8. Lung Cancer Percent Stage Distribution by Sex, 2018-2023

###### Notes: Proportions or percentages cannot be compared between groupsfor statistical meaning, as differences in the population can distort the interpretation. Proportions can provide insight into the relative distribution.

# Cancer incidence by Yukon regional populations

In this section, we examine all-cancer incidence by different population areas, based on place of residence of Yukoners with a cancer diagnosis. Whitehorse and the surrounding area are considered urban, while the other regions of the Yukon are all considered rural. In the mid-year of the analysis period (2013-2023), 2017, approximately three-quarters of the population lived in and around Whitehorse and the surrounding area, while the other quarter of the population resided in the rural areas [3].

From 2013 to 2023, there were 1923 new cases of cancer diagnosed in the Yukon, of which 72.1% were among urban residents and 27.9% were among rural residents, respectively (Figure 9). During the 2013-2016 rolling period, the rural population had a statistically significant higher ASIR compared to the urban population. In subsequent rolling periods, the difference between rural and urban appears to be decreasing. The same four cancers were most common between the urban and rural populations in the Yukon: colorectal, breast, lung, and prostate.

#### Figure 9. All-Cancer Age-Standardized Incidence Rates by Yukon Regional Population, 2013-2023

###### Notes: The shaded areas in Figure 11 represent the 95% confidence intervals (CIs), indicating the range of values within which we are 95% confident the true rate lies. For 2017 through 2023 data, there is a gap in the information provided by Vital Statistics and the Discharge Abstract Database, which are used to identify additional cancer cases. Please use caution when interpreting counts, proportions, and rates.

# About this report

#### Yukon Cancer Registry

The Yukon Cancer Registry is a population-based registry of all cancer cases diagnosed among Yukon residents. The purpose of the registry is to gather information required to develop and evaluate cancer case and prevention initiatives in the territory. The Yukon Cancer Registry, built in 1987, is overseen by the Department of Health and Social Services within the Yukon Government, which contracts BC Cancer to build and maintain a separate territorial registry within its cancer registry infrastructure.

The registry receives notifications of cancer diagnoses from various sources, including diagnostic laboratories and health care providers. For 2017 through 2023 data, there is a gap in the information provided by Vital Statistics, which is used to identify additional cancer cases. Additionally, there is a gap for 2021 through 2023 Discharge Abstract Data (DAD), which is used to identify additional cancer cases. The Government of Yukon is working to address these gaps, and ensure appropriate validation of cancer cases occurs as the issues are addressed.

Within the registry, personal and demographic, specific cancer diagnoses, and some mortality information are held to support analyses of Yukon cancer data. Nationally, cancer registries are used to generate statistics about cancer to describe trends and jurisdictional differences in cancer incidence and mortality. This data is also used to project future diagnoses, service needs, evaluate the effectiveness of cancer control programs, and support patient experiences and outcomes. Further, data generated are used to support valuable research into causes, prevention, screening, diagnoses, clinical management, and treatment of cancer, in addition to projecting the demand on the public health care system.

#### Scope of this report

The most up-to-date cancer incidence statistical information in the Yukon is conveyed in this surveillance report. Accurate reporting of cancers in smaller jurisdictions is especially important, such as in the Yukon, because small changes in cases have the potential to have a big impact on rates and on resource requirements for health care. Where there were small case counts, years, sex, age, and/or cancer site were aggregated to provide more reliable rates. This report only contains cancer incidence among residents of the Yukon, meaning an individual who moved away from the territory before a cancer diagnosis would not be included.

#### Cautions on interpretation

Due to the small number of cases and the population size in the Yukon, the rates presented in this report should be interpreted with caution due to high variability. As cases are categorized by different characteristics, such as age or sex, the case numbers in the sub-category decrease substantially, which results in imprecise rates for the small groups. To address the potential uncertainty, data for some analyses were aggregated, such as combining multiple years of cases (e.g., rolling rates) or presenting rates for both sexes combined. Aggregated estimates may not truly be reflective of the current estimates, and readers should consider the period and number of cases when interpreting the data. After the integration of Vital Statistics death data and Discharge Abstract Data (DAD), there will likely be a small an increase in the number of cases captured per year. Updated analysis will reflect any shifts in trends or comparisons.

#### Confidentiality and small numbers

To prevent the potential identification of individuals who have received a cancer diagnosis, this report presents data where cell counts are five or more. Smaller counts can occur for rare cancers, or when stratifying (such as by age, sex, or year).

#### Sex, gender, and ethnicity

The Yukon Cancer Registry does not contain a gender identity variable, meaning the data presented is only stratified by sex at birth. Where possible, statistics were stratified by sex, as cancer impacts females and males differently. Further, there is no ethnicity identifier in the registry. Since gender and ethnicity are not reported in the registry, there is a limitation to our understanding of the cancer landscape in the Yukon. This includes the potential relationships between cancer diagnosis and social or cultural factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, cultural influences, attitudes towards health, the social determinants of cancer, differences in the modifiable behavioural factors, and barriers to accessing screening, prevention, and care.

#### Yukon First Nations Cancer

This report does not contain Yukon First Nations identifiers, and does not comment on the cancer case numbers or rates specific to Yukon First Nation citizens. The Yukon Cancer Registry does not contain a First Nations identifier variable. We acknowledge that this is an important area of interest identified by Yukon First Nation governments, and is a key component of the work and discussions happening within the Yukon First Nations Cancer Care Project, and Yukon First Nation Cancer Care Strategy.

# References

[1] Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0747-01 Number of new cases and age-standardized rates of primary cancer, by cancer type and sex DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310074701-eng

[2] Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. Published guidelines. Retrieved October 20, 2025, from https://canadiantaskforce.ca/guidelines/published-guidelines/

[3] Yukon Bureau of Statistics. (2024, July). Population Report, First Quarter, 2024. https://yukon.ca/sites/default/files/ybs/fin-population-report-q1-2024.pdf

[4] Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). TNM classification of malignant tumours (8th edition). Retrieved October 20, 2025, from https://www.uicc.org/resources/tnm-classification-malignant-tumours-8th-edition