The annual report has provided cancer incidence rates, death rates, and trends of all major cancers in the United States since 1998. This year’s report shows that long-term declines in cancer death rates continued through 2004 for both sexes. Cancer death rates decreased on average 2.1 percent per year from 2002 through 2004, nearly twice the annual decrease of 1.1 percent per year from 1993 through 2002.

"The evidence is unmistakable: we are truly turning the tide in the cancer battle," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society."The gains could be even greater if everyone in the U.S. had access to essential healthcare, including primary care and prevention services."

This year’s report featured a special section that provides the most comprehensive cancer data to date for American Indians and Alaska Natives across the U.S. Cancer incidence rates among AI/AN men and women varied among six geographic regions of the country, with AI/AN men from the Northern Plains region and AI/AN women from Alaska and the Northern and Southern Plains regions having higher cancer incidence rates than non-Hispanic white (NHW) men and women in the same areas.

The report highlights several problems facing the American Indian and Alaska Native populations in their fight against cancer, specifically limited access to health care, reduced use of screening services, and lack of insurance.

Overall cancer incidence rates for both sexes and all races combined declined slightly from 1992 through 2004. Death rates decreased for the majority of the top 15 cancers in men and women.

For men, incidence rates of lung and colorectal cancers decreased. The three leading causes of cancer deaths in men: lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, also saw important declines.

For women, incidence rates of breast cancer declined substantially, a drop that is possibly related to declining use of hormone replacement therapy as well as the recently reported decline in use of screening mammography. Lung cancer rates stabilized after long-term increases, and colorectal cancer rates decreased. In terms of death rates, colorectal cancer and breast cancer decreased, while the rate of increase for lung cancer deaths slowed substantially.

The authors report that earlier detection of disease through screening, improved prognosis through more effective treatment, tobacco control, and reduction in inequalities in cancer care all point to the success of the nation’s dedication and focus on reducing the burden of cancer in the U.S.

To partner with the American Cancer Society in its ongoing fight against cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit us on the web at www.cancer.org.