Childhood Cancer Death Rate Down U.S. Childhood Cancer Mortality
Dropped Nearly 2% per Year From 1990 to 2004 Dec. 6, 2007 --
Cancer deaths among kids and teens in the U.S. have become rarer
in recent years, according to a new CDC study. The CDC today
reported that the nation's childhood cancer death rate -- which
includes kids and adolescents -- decreased by 1.7% per year from
1990 to 2004, thanks to advances in treatment. During those
years, a total of 34,500 children and teens in the U.S. died of
cancer. In 1990, there were 2,457 childhood cancer deaths,
compared with 2,223 in 2004, notes the CDC. Childhood cancer
isn't rarer than it used to be. Cases of childhood cancer rose
by less than 1% per year from 1990 to 2004. The CDC credits
chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, and other treatments for
helping kids and teens survive cancer. Leading Causes of
Childhood Cancer Death For 2004 -- the most recent year for
which CDC childhood cancer statistics are available -- leukemias
were the leading cause of chil