Montréal, November 20, 2025. – Among people who received a first cancer diagnosis in 2013 or 2014, 45% were still alive in 2024. Ten years after being diagnosed with cancer, half of them (50%) consider that their health is excellent or very good, and about a third (33%) perceive their health as good. Moreover, 68% of them did not have any anxiety or depressive symptoms in the month before the survey despite the physical health problems they may have.
These are some of the results from the Québec Survey on Life 10 Years After a Cancer Diagnosis conducted in 2024 among 13,070 adults who had received a first cancer diagnosis about 10 years earlier.
The impact of cancer and cancer treatments on people’s lives
The vast majority (95%) of people received at least one cancer treatment, either for the one diagnosed in 2013 or 2014 or for a subsequent cancer. Nearly half (46%) of them have one or more permanent physical after-effects from this treatment (such as a mastectomy or colostomy).
Because of the cancer or its treatment, about 8% of people have felt unattractive often or all the time, and 19% have lacked interest in sex often or all the time in the month before the survey. Approximately 12% have had personal or family financial problems in the year preceding the survey. It is also estimated that 53% of people who had a job at the time of their first cancer diagnosis or subsequent diagnosis reported that their cancer or cancer treatment had impacted their work. In addition, among those who were in a relationship, 5% experienced a breakup due to the impacts of being diagnosed with cancer.
The health care services used
About 91% of people have had access to a doctor for their health care—whether related to the cancer or not—and 71% discussed their cancer at least once with a health professional (such as a general practitioner or medical specialist, a nurse, or an emergency room health worker) in the 12 months before the survey. Only a minority (13%) of people used one or more alternative medicine practices because of their cancer, such as homeopathy or acupuncture.
Therapeutic advances and screening programs have improved cancer survival. This survey addresses a crucial need to better understand the impacts of cancer and cancer treatments on long-term quality of life.
See also
Read the highlights (in French only)
Read the full report (in French only) (PDF)
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.