TABLE 1.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of the end-of-life cancer study populations in Nova Scotia from 2005–2009.
| Characteristic | Total end-of life study population n (%) b | End-of-life study population linked to NSPMP a n (%) c |
|---|---|---|
| Study population | 11,498 (100) | 6,186 (100) |
| Year of death | ||
| 2006 | 1,669 (15) | 856 (14) |
| 2007 | 3,331 (29) | 1740 (28) |
| 2008 | 3,307 (29) | 1826 (30) |
| 2009 | 3,191 (28) | 1,764 (29) |
| Sex | ||
| Male | 6,222 (54) | 3,332 (54) |
| Female | 5,276 (46) | 2,854 (46) |
| Age group at death (years) d | ||
| <30 | 48 (<1) | 37 (<1) |
| 30–39 | 63 (1) | 51 (<1) |
| 40–49 | 351 (3) | 279 (5) |
| 50–59 | 1,043 (9) | 803 (13) |
| 60–69 | 2,132 (19) | 1,449 (23) |
| 70–79 | 3,143 (27) | 1742 (28) |
| 80+ | 4,716 (41) | 1824 (29) |
| Cause of death by cancer site/type | ||
| Oral | 112 (1) | 87 (1) |
| Esophagus | 210 (2) | 142 (2) |
| Stomach | 195 (2) | 116 (2) |
| Colorectal | 1,143 (10) | 743 (12) |
| Pancreas | 441 (4) | 282 (5) |
| Larynx | 51 (<1) | 28 (<1) |
| Lung | 2,280 (20) | 1,507 (24) |
| Skin | 111 (1) | 86 (1) |
| Breast | 506 (4) | 363 (6) |
| Cervix | 44 (<1) | 33 (<1) |
| Body of Uterus | 100 (1) | 53 (<1) |
| Ovary | 176 (2) | 104 (2) |
| Prostate | 409 (4) | 274 (4) |
| Bladder | 193 (2) | 105 (2) |
| Kidney | 204 (2) | 136 (2) |
| Brain | 215 (2) | 108 (2) |
| Thyroid | 16 (<1) | 10 (<1) |
| Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma | 313 (3) | 171 (3) |
| Hodgkin’s Lymphoma | 14 (<1) | 6 (<1) |
| Leukemia | 277 (2) | 115 (2) |
| Liver | 65 (1) | 40 (<1) |
| Multiple Myeloma | 124 (1) | 89 (1) |
| Other Cancers | 1,140 (10) | 618 (10) |
| Non-Cancer Death | 3,159 (27) | 970 (16) |
| Prognostic tier (5-year survival percentage) e | ||
| Tier 1 (>80%) | 1,285 (11) | 848 (14) |
| Tier 2 (50–80%) | 2,510 (22) | 1,539 (25) |
| Tier 3 (<50%) | 4,544 (40) | 2,829 (46) |
| Other | 3,159 (27) | 970 (16) |
| Region at diagnosis d | ||
| Urban | 7,291 (63) | 3,968 (64) |
| Rural | 4,069 (35) | 2,167 (35) |
a
NSPMP, Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program.
b
Percentage of total end-of-life study population with each characteristic.
c
Percentage of end-of-life study population linked to the NSPMP, with each characteristic.
d
Missing values; numbers may not add up to total study population.
e
Ellison L and Wilkins K. An update on cancer survival. 2010 [cited 11 November 2018]. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82–003-XPE. Health Reports: 21 (3). Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-003-x/2010003/article/11334-eng.pdf?st=X1Jalqn3.