A vast survey conducted by the Quebec Statistics Institute reveals that a significant proportion of people diagnosed with cancer ten years ago today consider themselves to be in good health, despite the physical after-effects and psychosocial repercussions linked to the disease.
- 45% of people diagnosed in 2013 or 2014 were still alive in 2024.
- 50% estimate their state of health to be excellent or very good ten years after diagnosis.
- 68% had no symptoms of anxiety or depression in the month preceding the survey.
- 46% suffered one or more permanent physical aftereffects.
- 53% have suffered professional repercussions linked to cancer or its treatments.
A unique look at life ten years after a diagnosis
The Quebec Survey on Life 10 Years After a Cancer Diagnosis, carried out in 2024 among more than 13,000 adults, offers an in-depth portrait of the experiences of people who faced cancer a decade earlier. Its results show that 45% of people diagnosed in 2013 or 2014 were still alive at the time of the study, data which demonstrates therapeutic progress and improved care.
A striking element emerges: despite the challenges encountered, half of the people questioned evaluate their state of health as very good or excellent. A third described it as good, a sign of significant capacity for adaptation and a return to well-being for a large proportion of survivors.
Persistent physical and emotional after-effects
The majority of cancer survivors have received at least one treatment related to the initial disease or a new cancer that occurred subsequently. Of these, nearly 46% have permanent after-effects, such as a mastectomy, colostomy or other physical complications associated with medical interventions.
The investigation also reveals considerable emotional repercussions. About 8% of respondents experienced a decrease in their feelings of personal attractiveness, and 19% reported a significant lack of sexual interest in the month preceding the survey. These data serve as a reminder that the post-cancer journey extends well beyond medical recovery, with lasting impacts on self-image, intimacy and quality of life.
Significant financial and professional impacts
For 12% of those questioned, financial difficulties linked to illness were significant during the year preceding the survey. Treatments, extended work absences and changes in functional capacity contribute to these economic pressures.
According to the results, 53% of people who were employed at the time of diagnosis suffered a professional repercussion attributable to cancer or its treatment. This includes prolonged absences, career reorientation or reduction in physical capabilities.
Furthermore, among people in a relationship at the time of diagnosis, 5% reported a breakup attributable to the consequences of the illness, highlighting the relational and social impact of such an event.
Access to care and use of services
The survey indicates that 91% of respondents were able to see a doctor for their health needs, whether cancer-related or not. In addition, 71% spoke at least once with a health professional about cancer during the 12 months preceding the study, which demonstrates relatively sustained follow-up.
In contrast, only 13% used so-called alternative medicine approaches, such as acupuncture or homeopathy, to manage the effects of cancer. This proportion reflects a limited use of these practices in a context where the majority of care remains focused on traditional medical services.
Better understanding to better support survivors
According to the Quebec Statistics Institute, these results play a crucial role in guiding public policies and adapting services to the realities of cancer survivors. They highlight not only advances in treatments, but also persistent challenges in well-being, mental health, social integration and quality of life.
The survey contributes to a better understanding of how cancer continues to influence the lives of those affected, even ten years later. It also recalls the importance of comprehensive support, including psychosocial support, rehabilitation services, as well as equitable access to care throughout Quebec.
Source: Quebec Statistics Institute
Publication Health Index: 2025-11-20
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