Declining Cancer Rates for 25 Years
Cancer has affected countless families and communities through its potentially deadly and life altering consequences. Although cancer is the nation’s number two killer, the U.S. cancer death rate has been declining for 25 years. According to the American Cancer Society’s report, the cancer death rate had been increasing into the early 1990’s but has fallen 27% between 1991 and 2016. Some contributing factors to that decline are lower smoking rates and advances in early detection and treatment, with lung cancer (especially in men) dropping nearly 50% since that 1991 date.
While areas like lung and prostate cancer have been in a steady decline over time, cancerous deaths related to obesity are increasing, including pancreas, uterus and liver. According to the American Cancer Society, they predict that there will be 1.7 million new cancer cases, and more than 600,000 cancer deaths this year within the U.S. The results of coordinated community efforts to reduce the likelihood and severity of major health concerns like cancer and obesity often don’t show for years and potentially decades.
Action Steps:
Encourage yourself and others to live a healthy and active lifestyle to reduce the likelihood of harmful diseases and infections.
Avoid smoking tobacco and consuming other harmful products that negatively affect your health.
Take advantage of free health screenings and public health offerings through your local healthcare organizations.