ATLANTA, GA - The American Cancer Society reported a significant decrease in the cancer death rate from 1991 to 2019, the most recent year data was available, and found that almost half of cancer deaths can potentially be prevented, according to an annual report from the organization.

According to the Cancer Facts & Figures 2022 report, the death rate from cancer dropped 32% in 28 years, and the drop in fatality is largely attributed to fewer people smoking during this time frame, as well as the rise of combination treatments, chemotherapy and prevention and early detection measures.

The organization found that 42% of cancers can potentially be prevented, including 19% that are caused from smoking and 18% that are caused by drinking alcohol, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess body weight.

Early detection in lung cancer increased dramatically from 2004 to 2018, leading to an uptick in 3-year survival rates for people with the disease from 21 in 100 people to 31 in 100 people.

The ACS predicted there will be 1,918,030 new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 deaths from cancer in 2022, up slightly from the numbers predicted for 2021.

There is a two to four year lag in reporting actual case and death numbers, and it is not yet clear if the ACS projections for 2021 were on target.

After heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S, according to the report. Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other kind of cancer, and more than the deaths caused by breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer combined. Over 80% of lung cancer deaths in 2022 are expected to be caused by smoking cigarettes.

From 2017 to 2018, the death rate from cancer dropped 2.4%, the most ever in a single year, which was reported in the 2021 document from the ACS. In 2020, diagnoses of cancer and treatment for cancer were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an accompanying study to the report, because the ability to find treatment and prevention services were “greatly reduced.” (Source: Forbes)

Story Date: January 13, 2022