Decreased Smoking Likely Driving Down Lung Cancer Deaths

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer showed death rates for lung cancer, which accounts for more than one in four cancer deaths, dropping at a faster pace than in previous years.

The recent larger drop in lung cancer deaths is likely the result of decreased cigarette smoking prevalence over many years, and is now being reflected in mortality trends. The lung cancer death rate decline, as well as declines in colorectal, breast and prostate cancer death rates, has also helped drive decreases in death rates for all cancers types combined, a trend that began about 20 years ago.

The decreased death rates for these four cancers accounted for more than two-thirds of the overall reduction in cancer death rates in the period 2001-2010.

“Similar to death rates, the overall decrease in cancer incidence rates among men was driven in part by declines in lung cancer, mainly reflecting the success of tobacco control interventions,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer patients with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, have special challenges,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D. “It’s critical for health care providers to have the full picture of their patients’ health so they can provide the best treatment possible for the patient overall, and for their cancer.”

 

To learn more about this report, visit http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/newsfromnci/2013/ReportNationDec2013Release.