Health Tips: Cancer

Sometimes it’s hard not to think we’re in the midst of a cancer epidemic. We all know people with cancer, and it seems that there are more of them than ever. But, in fact, the overall rate of new cancer cases has remained stable in the U.S. since 1991, after increasing during the 1980’s. Moreover, the total mortality rate from cancer has declined gradually since 1991, and survival rates have generally improved. The four leading cancers are still lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate. About 55 % of all cancers diagnosed each year in the U.S. are on of these four.
Lung cancer: Still by far the biggest cancer killer of both men and women. The incidence of mortality rate in men have been declining. While the incidence in women has started to level off, the death rate is still increasing. Unfortunately, there has been no good screening test. A recent study did confirm that CT scans can detect small tumors in people at high risk for lung cancer, but it’s too early to tell whether such screening will actually save lives. Prostate cancer: Since 1994 the incidence has risen because of early detection by PSA tests. But the death rate has declined, probably due to early diagnosis and improved treatments. Breast cancer: This remains the most common cancer among women, though nearly twice as many women die from lung cancer. Breast cancer incidence stabilized in 2001 and 2002, and actually seemed to decline in 2003. This follows small increases in the 1980′ and the 1990’s because of increased detection due to wider use of mammography. But the death rate has been declining since 1991, thanks to early detection and improved treatments.Colorectal cancer: The incidence and death rate have been declining, largely because of advances in screening and treatment. Screening colonoscopy can actually prevent colon cancer by allowing the removal of precancerous tissue.
The news, however, is not good for every type of cancer. For example, the incidence of melanoma, leukemia, and kidney cancer has been increasing, as has the incidence of thyroid cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in women. There is still much work to be done in understanding, preventing, and treating cancer. This comes from the latest “Annual Report to the Nation,” compiled by the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and CDC, and from the “Wellness Letter” from UC Berkeley, Next time: How you can guard against cancer. From this article, can you guess some of the recommendations?

Tags: breast cancer, cancer death rates, cancer epidemic, colorectal cancer, leading cancers, lung cancer, prostate cancer