According to an annual statistics report from the American Cancer Society the death rate from cancer in the US declined by 29% from 1991 to 2017, including a 2.2% drop from 2016 to 2017, the largest single-year drop ever recorded.
The decline in deaths from lung cancer drove the record drop. Deaths fell from about 3% per year from 2008 – 2013 to 5% from 2013 – 2017 in men and from 2% to almost 4% in women. However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death.
The report also credits advancements in treatment as major factor in decrease of lung cancer death rate.
“The accelerated drops in lung cancer mortality as well as in melanoma that we’re seeing are likely due at least in part to advances in cancer treatment over the past decade, such as immunotherapy,” said William G. Cance, MD, chief medical and scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, in a statement. “They are a profound reminder of how rapidly this area of research is expanding, and now leading to real hope for cancer patients.”
This report gives us hope, it also shows that the support of our donors is truly helping the medical community develop advances in treatment that are changing the way we treat lung cancer. However, since lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, it also illustrates how important it is to continue support promising clinical trials
Consider donating today and join us in our fight to help cure lung cancer.
Download the ACS cancer facts and statics report here: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2020/cancer-facts-and-figures-2020.pdf