Cancer Deaths Continue to Fall

Overall the number of deaths due to cancer have dropped. Incidence and deaths from lung cancer have dropped mainly because fewer people smoke. In states with smoking cessation programs, there is less lung cancer. Breast cancer rates have remained relatively stable since 2000 when rates fell as women discontinued hormone replacement. Incidence and death rate from colorectal cancer has fallen with increased use of colonoscopy and other screenings. The current concern is the effect of obesity and inactivity on cancer. Colorectal and postemnopausal breast cancers, as well as cancers of the esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and uterus are probably linked to obesity and inactivity.