{"id":10797,"date":"2025-04-14T14:33:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T14:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&#038;p=10797"},"modified":"2026-01-28T12:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:52:18","slug":"early-detection-an-important-step-in-cancer-care","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/early-detection-an-important-step-in-cancer-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Detection: An Important Step in Cancer Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile full has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(29,134,128) 0%,rgb(29,134,128) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<span style=\"color: white\">\n\n\n<h1 style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Early Detection: An Important Step in Cancer Care<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap;\">\n    <p class=\"text-descriptive\" style=\"color: white;\">Share this article<\/p>\n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on Facebook\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M6.023 16L6 9H3V6h3V4c0-2.7 1.672-4 4.08-4 1.153 0 2.144.086 2.433.124v2.821h-1.67c-1.31 0-1.563.623-1.563 1.536V6H13l-1 3H9.28v7H6.023z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>\n                \n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on LinkedIn\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M15.205 0H.695C.299 0 0 .3 0 .7v14.7c0 .3.298.6.696.6h14.608c.398 0 .696-.3.696-.7V.7c-.1-.4-.398-.7-.795-.7zM4.671 13.6H2.385V6H4.77v7.6h-.1zM3.578 5c-.795 0-1.392-.7-1.392-1.4 0-.8.597-1.4 1.392-1.4.795 0 1.39.6 1.39 1.4-.098.7-.695 1.4-1.39 1.4zm9.938 8.6H11.13V9.9c0-.9 0-2-1.192-2-1.193 0-1.391 1-1.391 2v3.8H6.16V6h2.286v1c.298-.6 1.093-1.2 2.187-1.2 2.385 0 2.782 1.6 2.782 3.6v4.2h.1z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>\n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses&amp;body=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on Mail\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 5.7V14c0 .6-.4 1-1 1H1c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1V5.7l7.5 4.2c.28.14.72.14 1 0L16 5.7zM15 1c.6 0 1 .4 1 1v1.5L8 7.9 0 3.4V2c0-.6.4-1 1-1z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>            \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><figure  class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" alt=\"PatientTestimonials\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/04\/Merck-PatientTestimonials-Ali-still.png?w=1024\" class=\"wp-image-11010 size-full\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Over 247,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.<sup>1<\/sup> Early detection of cancer, when it is often easier to treat, can help support better health outcomes.<sup>2<\/sup> &nbsp;Some of the benefits of early detection include less aggressive forms of therapy<sup>3<\/sup>, as well as an increase in 5-year survival rates for some of the most common cancer types in Canada.<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are things you can do to take control of your health and increase the likelihood of early detection by a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#008080\"><strong>Cancer Staging and Early Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Doctors use staging as a common way to describe the size and spread of cancers at the time of diagnosis.<strong> <\/strong>In the earliest stages, cancer is typically relatively small and has not spread into surrounding tissue or metastasized to a distant site in the body.<sup>5<\/sup> Stages, which are determined through testing, can help doctors select the best treatment plan for you, or choose a clinical trial you may want to join.<sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Too often cancer is not diagnosed until a later stage<sup>6<\/sup>. For many types of cancers, the 5-year net survival is higher when the cancer is detected at earlier stages<sup>7<\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Canada.<sup>8<\/sup> Half of all lung cancers in Canada are diagnosed at stage 4, the latest stage, for which the 5-year net survival rate falls to 3.1% compared to 61.5% for those diagnosed at stage 1, the earliest stage.<sup>4<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5-year net survival rates at stage 1 for colon cancer are eight times higher compared to a stage 4 diagnosis.<sup>9<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are 99% treatable if detected early. Melanoma can also have a high chance of successful treatment when caught early.<sup>10<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For breast cancers diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 92% (at stage 2) to nearly 100% <span style=\"\n    white-space: nowrap;\n\">(at stage 1). <sup>9<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: The net survival is an estimate of the percentage of people who will survive their cancer in the absence of other causes of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/02\/Patient-video-on-patient-advocacy-BIL.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Meet Ali, a breast cancer survivor who took a proactive approach to her diagnosis and treatment. With a family history of cancer, it was important to Ali to give herself the best possible outcome by acting early.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#008080\"><strong>Supporting Early Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every cancer diagnosis journey is different, but healthcare providers or cancer specialists can recommend strategies to help you reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancers and support early diagnosis<sup>11<\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Understand your risk factors:<\/strong> Factors like a family history of cancer, exposure to harmful chemicals, tobacco use and some dietary habits can increase your risk.<sup>12 <\/sup>Talk to your doctor for more information on risk factors. Some provincial health organizations also offer online assessments and tips for lowering your risk &#8211; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mycanceriq.ca\/Cancers\/Risk\">My CancerIQ<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regular checkups and screening tests:<\/strong> If you\u2019re in a certain age or population group, you can have screening tests that help find certain types of cancer before you\u2019ve even noticed symptoms. Consult your doctor for regular checkups and to learn when you should be screened for certain cancers.<sup>13<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know your body<\/strong>: Even if you\u2019ve recently seen your doctor for a checkup, it\u2019s important to discuss any new symptoms or changes to your body with them. If your symptoms persist or get worse after a checkup, it\u2019s important for you to continue to report these changes to your doctor.<sup>14<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#008080\"><strong>The Role of Screening Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Screening programs play a significant role in the early detection of cancer.<sup>15 <\/sup>These programs are designed to test for cancer before symptoms present themselves.<sup>16<\/sup> In Canada, provinces may offer different screening programs for cancers such as breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. Talk to your doctor to find out if you are eligible for screening.<sup>13<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#008080\"><strong>Patient Groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Canada, patient advocacy groups offer resources to individuals seeking information and support pertaining to a particular condition or disease. They often lead disease awareness efforts to support early detection and advocate for screening programs and services. To see what groups are out there, you can do a quick web search using key words such as \u201ccancer,\u201d a specific cancer type, or \u201cpatient support\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For more resources, visit your local provincial health website for information on available services. <\/strong>These sites offer detailed information on available screening programs and what to expect from the process. Canada.ca also offers a comprehensive list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/health-care-system\/canada-health-care-system-medicare\/provincial-territorial-health-care-resources.html\">provincial and territorial health care web resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CA-NON-03722<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>1 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/cancer-statistics\/cancer-statistics-at-a-glance\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/cancer-statistics\/cancer-statistics-at-a-glance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>2 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>3<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/our-impact\/saving-lives\/early-detection-and-diagnosis\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/research\/our-impact\/saving-lives\/early-detection-and-diagnosis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>4<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statcan.gc.ca\/o1\/en\/plus\/2773-when-caught-first-stage-five-year-survival-exceeds-90-four-five-most-common-cancers\">https:\/\/www.statcan.gc.ca\/o1\/en\/plus\/2773-when-caught-first-stage-five-year-survival-exceeds-90-four-five-most-common-cancers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>5<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/what-is-cancer\/stage-and-grade\/staging\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/what-is-cancer\/stage-and-grade\/staging<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>6<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca\/cancer-strategy\/strategic-priorities\/priority-2-diagnose\/\">https:\/\/www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca\/cancer-strategy\/strategic-priorities\/priority-2-diagnose\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>7<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/36716075\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/36716075\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>8 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/lung\/statistics\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-types\/lung\/statistics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>9<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/pub\/82-003-x\/2023001\/article\/00001-eng.htm\">https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/pub\/82-003-x\/2023001\/article\/00001-eng.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>10<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com\/early-detection\/skin-check\/\">https:\/\/www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com\/early-detection\/skin-check\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>11 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/reduce-your-risk\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/reduce-your-risk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>12 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/reduce-your-risk\/check-your-family-history\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/reduce-your-risk\/check-your-family-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>13<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/screening-for-cancer\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/screening-for-cancer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>14<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/know-your-body\/what-kinds-of-changes-in-my-body-should-i-report-to-my-doctor\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/know-your-body\/what-kinds-of-changes-in-my-body-should-i-report-to-my-doctor<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>15 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancercareontario.ca\/en\/get-checked-cancer\">https:\/\/www.cancercareontario.ca\/en\/get-checked-cancer<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><sup>16 <\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/screening-for-cancer\/what-you-should-know-about-cancer-screening\">https:\/\/cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/find-cancer-early\/screening-for-cancer\/what-you-should-know-about-cancer-screening<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over 247,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.1 Early detection of cancer, when it is often easier to treat, can help support better health outcomes.2 \u00a0Some of the benefits of early detection include less aggressive forms of therapy3, as well as an increase in 5-year survival rates for some of the most common cancer types in Canada.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11010,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"bdl_company_name":[],"bdl_item_external_link":[],"footnotes":""},"tags":[27],"content_topic":[],"admin_field":[],"class_list":["post-10797","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-oncology"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.9.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Early Detection: An Important Step in Cancer Care - Merck Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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