Cancer Trends Show Promise with Preventive Plan Designs

By Robert L. Whiddon
October 18, 2007

New research shows that deaths from cancer fell 2.1% annually from 2002 to 2004. Colorectal cancer deaths dropped the most, falling 5% annually for men and 4.5% annually for women. Doctors say this illustrates the power of preventive medicine and cancer screenings.

“If we’re seeing such great impact even at 50% screening rates, we think it could be much greater if we could get more of the population tested,” Dr. Elizabeth Ward of the American Cancer Society, and co-author of the research, told the Associated Press. The research was produced by the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Men are more likely to survive cancer than women, as mortality among men is dropping 2.6% per year compared to 1.8% for women. That difference is attributed to lung cancer rates. Smoking rates among men started dropping before they did among women, so men are reaping the benefits sooner, the AP reports.

Meanwhile, it is estimated only half of people over age 50 who should get tested for colon cancer actually do so. While preventive screenings have allowed for the removal of precancerous polyps that would otherwise give rise to cancer (thereby eliminating the costs of treatment), those who do continue to suffer from colorectal cancer are also less likely to die now, thanks to a suite of new drug treatments. The AP reports that patients have seven different drug treatment options today, compared to only one back in 1995.