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Cancer mortality goes down as diligence pays off

The disease continues to take its toll, however. The need for screening and education continues, especially among Hispanics, says a report spotlighting that population.

By Susan J. Landers, amednews staff. Sept. 25, 2006.

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Washington -- Deaths from cancer are continuing a downward trend that began in the early 1990s. However, the rate of new cancers diagnosed is holding steady, according to the "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2003." It was released on Sept. 6.

Its take-away message for physicians is this, say experts: Great job, but don't stop yet.

Despite the decreasing mortality rates, cancer continues to take a toll on the nation, with nearly 1.4 million new cases expected this year, based on American Cancer Society statistics. But the report, developed by federal health agencies and leading cancer organizations, shows that screenings that catch cancer at its earliest stage and the wider application of new and more effective treatments are having a favorable impact.

"There are now more than 10 million cancer survivors in this country," noted Martin Abeloff, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore. "Progress is being made, and people are living longer even if they are not cured."

Dr. Abeloff looks forward to the day when the incidence rate also starts dropping and to that end urges more effort on anti-smoking initiatives so that tobacco use, a major cause of cancer, can be eliminated completely.

"There is much more work to be done because we still have far too many people dying from cancer," he said.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, also cautioned against complacency.