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Mixed News About Cancer
December 5, 2008
For the first time ever, the overall cancer incidents and death rates have declined for men and women in the U.S. Not all of the news was good, however. In men the incidence for cancers of the lung, colon, rectum, oral cavity, stomach and prostate fell, but climbed for cancers of the liver, kidney, esophagus, melanoma, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
In women rates for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, uterus, ovary, cervix, and oral cavity decreased, while rates for cancers of the thyroid, pancreas,
brain/nervous system, bladder, kidney, lymphoma, leukemia and melanoma rose.
Lung cancer trends among women had mixed news as well. While lung cancer incidents and death rates among women fell in California, they increased in 18 states and held even in many more.
Unfortunately, 30% of all cancer related deaths are still connected to tobacco. While an overall decrease in cancer deaths is certainly a positive development, much of the decrease is related to the fact that a much lower percentage of the population now smokes.
Despite the mixed news, cancer remains the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 85.
(Source: an annual report released in late November by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute).
Topics: Health News