Rapid advancement of science and modern medicine seems to fruition. Recent data from the American Cancer Society says, cases of cancer deaths dropped by 20% from its peak 20 years ago.
Cancer is one of the most dreaded disease and the second leading cause of death in the United States and other countries. However, the medical world has now succeeded in conquering the “attack” of cancer cells. The proof, the current level of death and diagnosis of all cancers decreased significantly overall.
Recent statistics American Cancer Society says, cases of cancer deaths dropped by 20% from its peak 20 years ago. That is, from 1991 to 2009, 1.2 million lives saved, including 152,900 lives in 2009 alone.
“These data illustrate the lack of progress. As for the site of primary cancer, progress even faster, “says researcher Rebecca Siegel MPH. He served as director of surveillance information on the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, the United States, as reported by WebMD page.
The four major cancer sites are breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung. “The death rate from cancer peaked in the 1990s and we have seen a decrease of 1% per year,” he continued.
In particular, the death rate has dropped by more than 30% for colorectal cancer, breast cancer in women, lung cancer in men, and more than 40% of prostate cancers.
There are several factors that can push this decline. Among other things, reducing smoking to lung cancer as well as early detection and better treatment for colorectal cancer, breast, and prostate. However, not all good news. One of the four deaths in the United States due to cancer and the rate of certain cancers, including liver, thyroid, and pancreas, are on the rise.
This finding also makes estimates of cancer cases and deaths for 2013. There will be approximately 1,660,290 new cancer cases and 580,350 cancer deaths in the United States this year. The findings are published in two reports, namely Cancer Facts and Figures 2013, Cancer Statistics 2013. The second report also appeared in the medical journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Siegel said, smoking is a risk factor for some cancers, such as lung, head and neck, pancreatic, and bladder cancers. Moreover, some populations are more malignant cancer and more likely to die than others.
“If we can apply the knowledge we have for all populations, including those who are poor and uninsured, we’ll see more progress,” said Siegel.
Early detection is very important. By running regular cancer screening, increasing their chances of recovery. “More than 1 million people still live. That is a large amount of the population, “said Aaron Cy Stein MD PhD, Head of the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California, United States.
It benarbenar interesting, but Stein added that he wanted to see the death rate dropped to zero. With a good decision, it means that regular screening and a healthier lifestyle, such as quitting smoking.
Stephanie Bernik MD, Chief of Surgical Oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, the United States said, early detection and better treatment plays an important role in reducing deaths from breast cancer. “We have a good recovery rate and now add good,” he said.