CDC Finds Decline in Overall Cancer Deaths

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, overall cancer death rates continue to decline in men and women for all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. During 2001 to 2018, declines in lung cancer death rates accelerated, and death rates for melanoma declined considerably in more recent years. However, the report finds that for several other major cancers, including prostate, colorectal, and female breast cancers, previous declining trends in death rates slowed or disappeared. Also, overall cancer incidence rates continue to increase among females, children, and adolescents and young adults.

In its report, the CDC finds a decrease in death rates for 11 of the 19 most common cancers among men, and for the 14 or the 20 most common cancers among women over the most recent period (2014-2018). Also of interest, overall cancer incidence rates were higher among men than women in every racial and ethnic group, except Asian/Pacific Islander populations. Overall cancer incidence rates were slightly lower among Black people than White people, but the overall cancer death rate was higher among Black people than White people.

Authors of the report indicate the findings could informed health care providers about the need to increase efforts related to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, and for the need for equitable implementation of effective cancer interventions, especially among under-resourced populations.

The report was collaboratively produced between the CDC, American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACR).

Additional information is available here.