Forecasting Cancer Incidence in Canada by Age, Sex, and Region Until 2026 Using Machine Learning Techniques

This study analyzes cancer trends in Canada using machine learning techniques to extract insights from extensive cancer data sourced from the Canadian Cancer Society and Statistics Canada. It aims to enhance the understanding of cancer epidemiology and inform better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Data preprocessing addressed issues like missing values and normalization, ensuring reliability. The findings indicate a steady increase in new cancer cases, with estimates reaching 248,700 in 2026, up from 244,000 in 2022. Male incidence rates are projected to rise slightly to 602.3 per 100,000, while female rates may decline to 530.6. Regions such as Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec show rising incidence rates, contrasted by declines in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, and Yukon. Notably, this research reveals significant increases in cancer cases among individuals aged 60 and older, particularly those 70+. The hybrid ARIMA-LSTM model demonstrated superior forecasting accuracy compared with the other selected models. These findings offer valuable insights for health policymakers and highlight the potential of machine learning in public health forecasting, providing a framework for future research in other disease areas.