The rate of new cases and cancer deaths continue to decline in the U.S., largely on the decline, prostate and colorectal cancer in men and breast and colorectal cancer in women.The annual report examines cancer incidence and trends of cancer death in the United States is a joint effort of CDC, the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.
For men and women, mortality has decreased for cancer of the colon-rectum, stomach, kidney and brain tumors, as well as leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. Mortality rates for lung cancer has decreased by 2percent per year among men and remained unchanged for women.
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The rate of death from cancer – the best predictor of progress against the disease – has fallen from over a decade and a half. Deaths from cancer fell by about 1percent per year between 1993 and 2001 and 1.6percent per year from 2002 to 2006.
For all types of cancer, new cases fell by almost 1percent per year between 1999 and 2006. For most of the 1990 cancer incidence rates are stable after a steady increase in the mid-1970.
The main results: The overall incidence of cancer continues to be higher for men than for women, but men experienced the largest decline in the number of new cases and deaths.
The model is a bit ‘ambitious, but we believe that this rate of decline is achievable, he said.
Better screening is largely responsible for the decline, Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D., National Cancer Institute, tells WebMD.
The deaths fell by about 4percent per year between 2001 and 2006 and deaths have dropped by almost 2percent per year over the same period.
While the death rate from cancer continues to decline, the actual number of Americans who die of this disease should increase in coming years with increasing population and the baby boomers reach the age at high risk of cancer. Spurs decline in screening for colorectal cancer
The report includes a special section on colorectal cancer, the cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the U. S. deaths from colorectal cancer have been falling since the mid 1980′s for men and 1970 women. For both sexes, the rate of decline accelerated from the beginning of this decade.
New cases fell for the three main types of cancer in men – prostate, lung and colorectal cancer – as well as, and cancer of the oral cavity. No change was observed in the rate of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lymphomas, and increases were reported for cancers of the brain, esophagus, liver and kidney and for melanoma and myeloma.
The continued decline in mortality rates for all cancers combined for men and women reflects the impact of screening, the reduction of risk factors and treatment, the report said.
Screening is recommended at age 50 for most people. Those with risk factors for cancer or a family history of disease may need to be screened first.
Cleveland Clinic colorectal surgeon James Church, MD, agrees that screening would result in a dramatic increase further reductions in mortality from colorectal cancer.
The lifetime risk for colorectal cancer in the U.S. is about 6percent, says Church. The risk doubles for someone with a mother or father had the disease and is four times greater when a parent is diagnosed at an early age.
We continue to make progress in the fight against cancer, and this progress is reflected in the continued decline in mortality, Elizabeth Ward, PhD, American Cancer Society, tells WebMD.
Deaths from breast cancer, colon and prostate Fall
Church said that up to 85percent of colorectal cancers could be prevented if all those who were eligible for screening has planned.
Smoking, no, and one high in red meat are all considered risk factors for colorectal cancer.