Report: Cancer Deaths On The Decline
DETROIT (WWJ) - The cancer mortality rate is on the decline, according to a report published by the American Cancer Society.
Vicki Rakowski with the Society's Great Lakes Division said three things have helped that decline.
"The ability to screen for cancers that are the most common, such as breast, colorectal, prostate, skin. Secondly I think it's related to individuals who are taking advantage of those screening tests that are available," said Rakowski. "And I think the third thing, and probably one of the most important, is the decline in the use of tobacco."
Rakowski told WWJ Newsradio 950 she expects the mortality rate to continue to decline over the next few years. However, she said they are still seeing increases in certain cancers.
"In the actual number of cases related to it, and that's things like kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver, thyroid -- and you ask why are we seeing those increases. Well I think it's because of our prevalence of obesity," Rakowski said.
The data from the report, "Cancer Facts and Figures," is from 2008.
