Cancer Mortality Declining in United States

Cancer constitutes an enormous burden on societies as the occurrence of cancer is increasing because of aging of the population, as well as the prevalence of risk factors such as smoking, increase in weight, decrease in physical activities.

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths that will occur in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. 

A total of 1,665,540 new cancer cases and 585,720 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States in 2014. During the most recent 5 years for which there are data (2006-2010), delay-adjusted cancer incidence rates declined slightly in men (by 0.6% per year) and were stable in women, while cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year in men and by 1.4% per year in women. The combined cancer death rate (deaths per 100,000 population) has been continuously declining for 2 decades, from a peak of 215 in 1991 to 169 in 2011. This 20% decline translates to the avoidance of approximately 1,340,400 cancer deaths (952,700 among men and 387,700 among women) during this time period. The magnitude of the decline in cancer death rates from 1991 to 2011 varies substantially by age, race, and sex, ranging from no decline among white women aged 80 years and older to a 55% decline among black men aged 40 years to 49 years.  

While cancer deaths declined in every state, Southern states posted the smallest decreases (15 percent) while Northeastern states had the biggest reductions (25 to 30 percent) according to the data, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics 2015 reports that prostate, breast, lung and colorectal tumors account for half of all cancers in the U.S. Progress has been made in reducing the incidence of prostate, lung and colon cancers, while breast cancer rates have leveled off in recent years.

The dramatic reduction in mortality due to cancer since 1991 is attributed to falling smoking rates, better cancer prevention, detection and treatments.  Further reductions can be obtained in the future by applying existing cancer prevention and treatments across the population at large.