Cancer deaths fall for first time in 70 years

ATLANTA – For the first time in more than 70 years, annual cancer deaths in the United States have fallen, a turning point in the fight against cancer likely achieved by declines in smoking and better tumor detection and treatment.

The number of cancer deaths dropped to 556,902 in 2003, down from 557,271 the year before, according to a recently completed review of U.S. death certificates by the National Center for Health Statistics.

“Even though it’s a small amount, it’s an important milestone,” said Dr. Michael Thun, American Cancer Society epidemiological research director.

It’s the first annual decrease in total cancer deaths since 1930, a cancer society analysis said.

Death rates have fallen for lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer, according to American Cancer Society officials, who analyzed the federal data.

Those are the four most common cancers, which together account for 51 percent of all U.S. cancer deaths.

The total number of cancer deaths among women actually rose by 409 from 2002 to 2003. Among men, deaths fell by 778, resulting in a net decrease of 369 total cancer deaths.

With such a small drop in deaths, it’s possible they will rise again when 2004 data is tabulated. Cancer is diagnosed more often in older people than younger people, and the large and aging population of baby boomers may push cancer statistics a bit.

Even so, that should be offset by treatment improvements and declines in smoking and cancer incidence, said Jack Mandel, chairman of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.

Genetics research and other recent scientific innovations, coupled with the decline in deaths, may be a legitimate cause for celebration, said Arthur Caplan, a University of Pennsylvania bioethicist.

“This number shows that, perhaps, a corner has been turned,” Caplan said.