On Jun. 3, 2004, the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Annual Report to the Nation found cancer incidence and death rates on the decline as survival rates showed significant improvement. Overall, cancer death rates for all racial and ethnic populations combined declined by 1.1% per year from 1993 to 2001 and also declined for many of the top 15 cancers in both men and women. Lung cancer death rates among women leveled off for the first time between 1995 and 2001 after increasing continuously for many decades.

“This new report clearly shows we’ve made considerable gains in reducing the burden of cancer in the United States,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. “The first ever drop in lung cancer incidence rates in women is remarkable proof that we are making a difference in the number one cancer killer, and is powerful evidence that our successful efforts must continue.”

The percentage of patients who have survived more than five years after being diagnosed with cancer has increased over the past two decades. According to NCI Director Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., “these survival statistics are a reason for optimism, as they show us that we are on the right track to reaching the NCI Challenge Goal to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. We are committed to even greater advances in survivorship research at NCI. We are directing and conducting research on long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors, healthy behaviors for all survivors, and unique issues faced by cancer survivors from underserved populations.”

Death rates from all cancers combined have been decreasing since the early 1990s. Death rates decreased for 11 of the top 15 cancers in men, and eight of the top 15 cancers in women. Lung cancer deaths rates among women leveled off for the first time between 1995 and 2001, after continuously increasing for many decades.

Among men, cancer incidence rates have recently declined for seven of the top 15 cancer sites: lung, colon, oral cavity, leukemia, stomach, pancreas, and larynx. Incidence rates increased only for melanoma and cancers of the prostate, kidney, and esophagus.