Abstract

One woman in nine can expect to develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 25 will die from the disease. Statistically low incidences of breast cancer are found in Newfoundland and Labrador, the territories, and northern areas of most provinces. Otherwise, each province has one or more pockets of significantly high breast cancer incidence. These are often located in more southerly areas, but they do not seem to be restricted to either urban or rural areas alone.

Breast cancer rates are a health status indicator. They can be used to help assess health conditions. Health status refers to the state of health of a person or group, and measures causes of sickness and death. It can also include people’s assessment of their own health.