Science and Health
Study finds drop in cancer deaths in US
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-12 10:32
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LOS ANGELES - The war on cancer in the United States has resulted in a decrease in cancer rates since 1990, according to a new study.
The study, conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society, attributed the decrease to less use of tobacco, increased cancer screening and improvement in treatment.
That's a decline of 21 percent from 1990 and a drop of 11 percent since 1970, said the study.
The findings were based on analysis of national data from 1970 to 2006, the study said.
Cancer death rates (per 100,000) among women increased from 163 in 1970 to 175.3 in 1991 and then decreased to 153.7 in 2006 -- a decline of 12 percent from 1991 and 6 percent from 1970.
The researchers also calculated that, for people younger than 75, the decrease in cancer death rates from 1970 to 2006 resulted in about 2 million years of potential life gained. "Continued and increased investment in cancer prevention and control, access to high quality health care and research could accelerate this progress" against cancer, the researchers said.
The war on cancer launched in the early 1970s has achieved good results, the researchers noted.
However, the drop in cancer death rates should not lead to complacency,the researchers warned.
