According to the latest report from the American Cancer Society, the cancer death rate in US has dropped 2.2% from 2016 to 2017. This is the largest single-year drop ever recorded. This significant drop is largely driven by progress against lung cancer. The advancement in the field of cancer has resulted in improving survival rates among the patients. As of 2017, the death rate for lung cancer dropped by 51% among men since its peak in 1990 and by 26% among women since its peak in 2002, the report found.
Rebecca Siegel, lead writer of the report, said, “Lung cancer has been the most common cause of cancer death in the United States, and now…we have better therapies for our patients and … patients are living longer and better than ever before.” The overall death rates from cancer have fallen by about 1.5% each year since 1991.
The availability of better treatments for lung cancer is the main reason for the falling numbers. The improved treatment includes surgery, use of radiation etc. There are also better drugs available as well. Fewer people are smoking is also the reason behind declining lung cancer rates. Genetic testing is also helping doctors choose the right drugs for the patients. All these factors combined result in improving the immune system of patients and help them fight cancer, which result in falling of death rates.
The researchers at American Cancer Society have also found a large decrease in death rate from melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It has fallen by 7% a year. This is good news for cancer patients.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. If you face any issues or symptoms, you should contact your health care practitioner immediately.