Death rates from all cancers combined continued to decline between 2004 and 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported March 28. According to the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, new cancer diagnoses also decreased an average 0.6% per year for men between 2004 and 2008, and 0.5% per year for women between 1998 and 2006.
Cancer death rates for children decreased 1.3% per year between 2004 and 2008, while new cancers increased 0.6% per year, continuing earlier trends. Black men and women had the highest cancer death rates in recent years, but also the largest declines in mortality compared with other racial groups.
A special section in this year’s report highlights the increased risks for cancer associated with excess weight and lack of physical activity.
Comments