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In 2020, Our Good News Is About Cancer
New statistics show that the death rate for several leading cancers is not only continuing to decline, it’s dropping at an accelerated pace
It might seem rare that oncologists have good news to share. However, researchers say a report released Wednesday offers the field more hope than ever. Annual statistics from the American Cancer Society show new treatments for lung cancer and melanoma have contributed to the largest single-year drop in the United States’ cancer death rate. From 2016 to 2017 (the most recent years recorded), the cancer death rate declined by 2.2%, continuing the country’s downward trend of 29% since 1991.
“This is really important and really exciting,” says Lauren Averett Byers, associate professor of thoracic head and neck medical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We’re actually seeing an acceleration — especially among some of the most aggressive cancers, like lung cancer — in progress and meaningful change, in terms of how many patients with advanced disease are surviving and living longer.”
Over the past several decades, the U.S. has made significant progress in lowering cancer rates. Thanks to advances in treatment and prevention, 2.9 million deaths have been avoided since cancer death rates peaked in…
