Annual cancer deaths continue downward trend

Cancer deaths are on the decline again, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Between 1991 and 2006, the rates dropped 21.0% among men and 12.3% among women, resulting in an estimated 767,000 fewer deaths from cancer since the 1990s.

The society published the stats in its annual report on cancer statistics in their journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. They credit the decline to three factors:

• Falling smoking rates
• Improved cancer treatments
• Earlier detection of cancer

Incidences of cancer also appear to be on the decline, having decreased 1.3% per year among men (from 2000 to 2006) and 0.5% per year among women (from 1998 to 2006).

For a longer write-up of the report from the ACS press room, go here.
For the full report, go to Cancer Statistics, 2010.