Cancer rates will deline if Manitobans adopt healther lifestyles such as quitting smoking, officials say. (CBC)The number of Manitobans with cancer is expected to grow by 50 per cent by 2026, says a government health report issued Tuesday.

CancerCare Manitoba officials expect more than 8,000 Manitobans annually will be diagnosed with cancer by 2026, up from the 2005 figure of 5,500. Part of the reason behind the expected rise is an aging population. Statistically, Manitoba is in the middle of the pack in terms of the prevalence of cancer — compared with other provinces.

The good news is that the incidence of prostate cancer has dropped in the province, and Manitoba has the highest/best survival rate for lung cancer in Canada.

But the report calls for increased prevention and education and particularly addresses the situation in northern Manitoba which has the highest rates of smoking and obesity and the highest percentage of people diagnosed with late-stage colorectal and prostate cancer in the province.

The President of CancerCare Manitoba, Dr. Dahli Dhaliwal, said one in four patients in northern Manitoba aren't diagnosed until their cancer is in the late stages – partly because they live in isolated locales.

"Some of the communities don't even have road access,' he noted.

But Dhaliwal said there are many risk factors that can be changed, a healthier diet, and reduced tobacco and alcohol consumption, for example.

"We should not be measuring how many counselling sessions we did," said Dhaliwal. "We should be measuring whether we actually reduced the smoking rates."

Research shows that more than 50 per cent of cancers could be prevented through lifestyle changes. In 2007, Manitoba launched a cancer strategy with three priorities: improving cancer prevention, detecting cancer earlier and enhancing treatment and improving care. Since the release of the cancer strategy, over $60 million has been spent in these areas.

"We are definitely on track with our provincial strategy but we have to sustain these efforts if we are to significantly reduce the burden of cancer among Manitobans," said Health Minister Theresa Oswald.