Skin Cancer - Cancer
Data definitions, limitations & uses • Data Sources

Skin cancer (clinically referred to as melanoma), together with cataracts, is one of the most significant long-term outcomes related to excessive sun exposure. Health Canada estimated that there would be about 3500 new cases of skin cancer and 770 deaths from skin cancer in 1999.

In Canada, both the incidence (new cases) and mortality caused by skin cancer have increased steadily over the past 30 years. In LGL, similar trends have been observed. New cases of skin cancer have almost doubled since the early 1980's (see figure 1).  These increases in local rates are similar to those observed in all of Ontario. The age-standardized incidence of skin cancer observed between, 1993-1995 was similar in Ontario and LGL, among both males (see figure 2) and females (see figure 3).

Between, 1981 and 1996 there were 77 deaths due to skin cancer in LGL. Almost half of these (44%), occurred between 1992 and 1996.

Data definitions, limitations & uses
Leading Causes of Death
Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)
Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR)
Age-Standardized Mortality Rate
Total (Crude) Death Rate 

Data Sources
Ontario Cancer Incidence Database
Population Estimates Database
Ontario Mortality Database