Cancer in America 2003: 1.33 Million Cases; Death Rates Declining

ATLANTA -- Feb 7, 2003 -- Newly compiled data from the American Cancer Society finds even as death rates from several major cancers continue to decline, an aging population will produce a slight rise in the total number of cancer deaths in 2003. The Society's annual Cancer Facts & Figures shows death rates are down for the top four cancer killers: cancers of the lung, breast, colon and prostate. But it also shows more Americans than ever, 1.33 million, will be diagnosed with cancer in 2003, and more than half a million will die of the disease.
Each year, the Society's team of epidemiologists compiles and analyzes the latest data to estimate the number of cancer cases nationwide and in individual states. The 2003 estimates are published in the Jan/Feb 2003 issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and released as "Cancer Facts & Figures 2003." A companion document, "Cancer Prevention and Early Detection," compares individual states on tobacco use, nutrition, physical activity and the use of cancer screening tools. Some highlights from this year's publications:

     In 2003, an estimated 1,334,100 new cancer cases and 556,500 deaths from cancer are expected in the United States.

     Incidence and death rates from lung cancer continue to decrease in men and have leveled off in women. It remains the top cause of cancer death in the U.S, with an estimated 171,900 new cases and 157,200 deaths expected this year.

     Kentucky has the highest lung cancer death rate in the United States. The number of expected deaths there in 2003 (3,200) rivals that of Massachusetts (3,700), which has more than two million more residents*.

     Breast cancer remains the most common cancer other than skin cancer among women in the United States, with an estimated 211,300 new cases and 39,800 deaths expected in 2003. Despite increasing incidence, the death rate from breast cancer continues to fall.

     Prostate cancer is the most common cancer other than skin cancer among men in the U.S., with an estimated 220,900 new cases and 28,900 deaths expected in 2003. Although death rates have decreased since the early 1990s, rates in African American men remain more than twice as high as rates in white men.

To read the report and accompanying editorial online, visit http://caonline.amcancersoc.org, or to obtain a hard copy, please call (404) 329-5184.

CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians is a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society providing cancer care professionals with up-to-date information on all aspects of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across America. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

*U.S. Census Bureau estimated 2001 populations: Kentucky 4,065,556; Massachusetts 6,379,304



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