Cancer mortality rates higher for Indigenous people in NWT, report finds

A GNWT report has found that Indigenous people in the NWT continue to have a higher cancer mortality rate, while overall cancer rates in the territory were similar to the rest of Canada.

The report, which was released last week, studied cancer diagnosis and mortality rates in the territory between 2011 and 2022, and cancer screening rates from 2011 to 2024. It compared those findings to data from 2001 to 2010 in a previous NWT cancer report as well as available national data.

The latest report found that, between 2011 and 2022, there were an average of 164 invasive cancer diagnoses each year in the NWT. The report did not include benign tumours or in situ cancers, which are confined to one location.

The report said cancer incidence in the territory “did not significantly vary” from national rates between 2011 and 2022, except for 2017.

“Cancers are expected to become more prevalent as the NWT population ages and the number of senior citizens grows, increasing the disease burden on society and the health care system,” the report said.

The report found cancer incidence rates in the regional centres of Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik, as well as smaller communities in the NWT, were more than 1.5 percent higher compared to cancer rates in the Yellowknife area, which includes Ndilǫ and Dettah.

There were an average of 62 cancer-related deaths in the NWT per year from 2011 to 2022, 17 deaths per year higher on average than in 2000. The report noted these averages were not adjusted for population size and “it is expected that as the population grows, a higher number of deaths will occur.”

Compared to the NWT’s non-Indigenous population, the cancer mortality rate for Indigenous people in the territory was higher between 2011 and 2020 as well as 2022. In 2021, Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents had the same cancer mortality rate.

The most common type of cancers diagnosed in women in the NWT between 2013 and 2022 were breast cancer followed by colorectal, and lung and bronchus cancer. These three types of cancer made up 57 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in women in the territory during that period. Nationally, these diagnoses accounted for 49 percent of all cancers diagnosed from 2013 to 2022.

Colorectal cancer made up a higher proportion of cases in Indigenous women in the NWT – 21 percent – compared to non-Indigenous women – eight percent. Indigenous women also had a higher proportion of lung and bronchus cancer, at 15 percent of diagnoses, compared to 11 percent in non-Indigenous women.

The top cancers diagnosed in NWT men between 2013 and 2022 were colorectal, prostate, and lung and bronchus cancer. These made up 52 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in men. The report did not provide a comparative national figure.

Colorectal cancer made up a higher proportion of cases in Indigenous men at 27 percent compared to 13 percent for non-Indigenous men. Lung and bronchus cancer also accounted for a greater proportion of cases in Indigenous men – 17 percent – compared to non-Indigenous men – 15 percent.

Prostate cancer made up a higher proportion of cases in non-Indigenous men at 22 percent compared to 12 person of cases in Indigenous men.

Colorectal cancer, the leading type of cancer for men and second leading type of cancer for women in the NWT, was diagnosed at higher rates in smaller communities and regional centres compared to Yellowknife for both men and women.

The proportion of cancer-related deaths in men attributed to colorectal cancer decreased from 20 percent from 2001-2010 to 6.9 percent in 2011-2022.

The leading type of cancer causing death was lung and bronchus cancer for both men and women at similar proportions. Lung and bronchus cancer accounted for more than twice the number of deaths than the second leading type of cancer for men and women – prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women. This is similar to the proportions seen Canada-wide, the report said.

The crude cancer mortality rate in the NWT increased by approximately 52 deaths per 100,000 population from 2011 to 2011.

The report calculated three-year rolling estimates for certain cancer rates, including mortality rates, to better compare rates over time and among different population groups. The three-year rolling cancer mortality rates for smaller communities and regional centres were always higher than rates in Yellowknife.

In a news release, the GNWT said the report’s data will be used to inform program planning and policy. The territorial government also encouraged residents to speak with health care providers about cancer screening programs.

Screening ‘allows for early detection’

“Cancer screening, which allows for early detection and thus early treatment, is a useful strategy for reducing mortality in cancers where treatment is possible,” the report said.

The only territory-wide cancer screening program, according to the report, is the NWT Health and Social Services Authority’s colorectal cancer screening program. Through the program, which started in 2020, eligible residents aged 50 to 75 years receive Fecal Immunochemical Tests by mail. The latest tests were mailed in February 2026.

The report said there are two breast cancer screening programs offered in the NWT, one led by the territorial health authority at the Stanton Territorial Hospital since 2004, and one offered by the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority at the Hay River health centre since 2008.

The NWT health authority is exploring options for a breast cancer screening program at the Inuvik hospital as part of a territorial breast cancer screening program, the report said.

From 2013 to 2024, Indigenous people had a higher breast cancer screening rate compared to non-Indigenous people, according to the report. Smaller communities and regional centres also had higher breast cancer screening rates almost every year in the same time period compared to Yellowknife.

The territory’s health authority launched a cervical cancer screening pilot program last year, in which self-sampling kits for human papillomavirus are mailed to eligible residents aged 25 to 69. NWT residents can also request screening for cervical cancer at health centres, primary care centres, and community health cabins.

In June, the GNWT released a new guide on cancer treatment services for NWT residents. The guide does not have an end date nor a detailed action plan. The territory has described it as a “living guide to help the health system make decisions, set priorities and improve cancer care over time.”