U.S. Cancer Death Rate Continues 25-Year Decline, ACS Report Finds

Over the past 25 years, the U.S. has seen a steady decline in the death rate from cancer, according to "Cancer Statistics, 2019," the annual report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) published online January 8, in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Between 1991 and 2016, the U.S. saw an overall 27 percent decrease in cancer deaths. The decrease is attributed to reduction in smoking and advances in early detection and treatment of cancer. However, the ACS report finds that not all of the U.S. population is benefiting equally. While the historic racial disparities in cancer death rates are lessening, socioeconomic gaps are widening.

A companion version of the report, "Cancer Facts & Figures 2019," includes a special section on the oldest old population in the U.S., which includes incidence, mortality rates, trends, survival, treatment, and challenges affecting this growing segment of the population.

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Posted 1/8/19