The American Cancer Society recently released a study showing that cancer-related deaths in the U.S. have decreased by 33 percent over the past three decades. The study, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, estimates that this has resulted in about 3.8 million fewer deaths.
The decrease in cancer deaths can largely be attributed to a decrease in smoking and improved cancer detection and treatment. The mortality rate from cancer continued to fall in 2020, with a 1.5 percent decrease compared to 2019. Notably, twice as many deaths were averted among men than among women. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women, yet the mortality rate has decreased significantly.
It is worth noting that cancer was the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020, behind heart disease and followed by COVID-19. This study is a significant step forward in the fight against cancer, and highlights the importance of continued investment in cancer research, detection, and treatment.
These promising findings show that progress is being made in the fight against cancer. However, it is essential to continue to invest in cancer research, detection, and treatment in order to further reduce the number of cancer-related deaths.