Article

More Than 1.5 Million Cancer Deaths Averted in Last 2 Decades

Rates of cancer deaths have declined 22% over the last 2 decades, which amounts to 1.5 million deaths averted, according to the annual cancer statistics report from the American Cancer Society.

Rates of cancer deaths have declined 22% over the last 2 decades, according to the annual cancer statistics report from the American Cancer Society. The 1.5 million cancer deaths averted can be attributed to earlier detection, better screening practices, improved treatments, and lower rates of smoking.

The report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, is based on the most recent data from the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and mortality figures from the National Center for Health Statistics.

However, not only is cancer still a leading killer, but the improvement has varied across the country with some regions faring far better than others. Southern states showed the lowest decline in mortality rates, while the Northeast region had the greatest improvement.

Read more: http://cbsn.ws/1Bqun5y

Newsletter

Stay ahead of policy, cost, and value—subscribe to AJMC for expert insights at the intersection of clinical care and health economics.

Related Videos
David Awad, PharmD, BCOP
Coral Omene, MD, PhD, sitting for a vieo interview
Constance Blunt, MD, medical oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Coral Omene, MD, PhD, sitting for a vieo interview
David Awad, PharmD, BCOP
Screenshot of Coral Omene, MD, PhD
ASCO 2025
Constance Blunt, MD, medical oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
Nini Wu, MD, Navista
Related Content
AJMC Managed Markets Network Logo
CH LogoCenter for Biosimilars Logo