News in brief - March 27, 2000

Cancer deaths plateau, although some cancers still climbing

Washington -- National Cancer Institute Director Richard Klausner, MD, testified before Congress last month that the number of cancer deaths per year has leveled off.

"For the first time, between 1996 and 1997, the total number of cancer deaths in the United States did not rise, despite a growing and aging population," he said.

Drops continue to be seen for the four major cancer sites of lung, colorectal, breast and prostate. Cancer sites where mortality rates are still increasing include liver and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Dr. Klausner also said the decrease in overall cancer mortality rates first observed in the early 1990s accelerated between 1995 and 1997, the latest year for which data are available.

Chicago -- This month, 12 University of Chicago medical students will immerse themselves in Spencer, Iowa (population 13,000), for four days, bringing with them healthy and diseased human organs. Their mission: to educate fifth- through eighth-grade students about the effects of alcohol, tobacco, cocaine and other drugs on hearts, brains, livers and lungs.

But the exchange will flow both ways. The students hope to gain a better understanding of the health problems that face rural America.

The visit was organized in part by Jody Stoner, a second-year University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine student and former AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Spencer.