Most Canadian citizens are likely to survive the often fatal disease of cancer because of the country's accessible and reliable health care system, according to a Concord study.

The study, which will appear in the August issue of The Lancet Oncology, revealed that Canada ranked second in patient survival for breast cancer, third for prostate cancer in men and for colorectal cancer in women, and sixth for colorectal cancer in men

An international study, the Concord Report, comparing cancer survival rates in 31 nations for four types of cancer, shows that the U.S. topped survival rates for breast and prostate cancer, while for colorectal cancer, Japan led the men's category and France the women's category.

Canada ranked high in the four categories, indicating the good access rate of Canadian cancer patients to quality health care

Women with early-stage breast cancer who were treated with the drug Zometa to prevent bone loss had a better chance that the disease would not come back, a study has found.

Zometa, made by Novartis AG, is currently used for cancers that have already spread to the bone. Recent studies indicate that the drug also substantially cut the risk that the hormone-positive breast cancer would return

The world's top anti-cancer pharmaceutical company, Roche Holding AG, posted the biggest gains Zurich trading since February after new studies on its tumor drug Avastin proved it would be able to hold its own against rival Erbitux.

Roche rose 4.5 percent to $180.0575, its biggest gain since Feb. 25

Researchers report that using cancer drug Avastin has helped to stop the spread of rectal cancer in 22-24 patients.

Prior to their surgery to remove their rectal tumors, the patients were given Avastin and chemotherapy. After three years, they were still alive and around 91 per cent shows no signs of spreading the disease