U.S. cancer death rates drop, new report says

Jan 6 2012

In a new report from the American Cancer Society, researchers indicate that cancer death rates in the United States fell 1.8 percent in men and 1.6 percent in women each year between 2004 and 2008, but those gains weren't as pronounced in young adults.

National Journal: Cancer Rates Slope Down In U.S.
Death rates from cancer continue a slow but steady march downward in the United States, with a few exceptions, the American Cancer Society reported on Wednesday. The group estimates that the reduction translates to a million lives saved since 1990. The American Cancer Society's annual report shows that between 2004 and 2008, the incidence of cancer fell by just over half a percent in men while it was stable in women. Death rates fell by 1.8 percent a year in men and 1.6 percent every year in women. The reduction in women lags a little because women started to quit smoking later than men did (Fox, 1/4).

ABC News: Cancer Death Rates Continue To Decline
Deaths rates from cancer dropped 1.8 percent per year in men and 1.6 percent per year in women between 2004 and 2008, according to a new report -; a promising trend that experts hope will accelerate in the years to come. "This is really very exciting," said report co-author Ahmedin Jemal of the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society. "Of course, the decrease is due to improvements in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment." Over the past 18 years, the steady drop in cancer death rates has translated into more than a million deaths averted, according to the report (Moisse, 1/4).

CBS News: Gains In Cancer Fight, But Not For Young Adults
We are making progress in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society said Wednesday that death rates are going down. Between 2004 and 2008, they dropped 1.8 percent each year for men and 1.6 percent for women. However, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports there has not been much improvement for teens or young adults (LaPook, 1/4).