More lives saved in fight against cancer Death rate has dropped
20% from 1991 The death rate from cancer in the United States
has dropped dramatically in the last two decades, according to a
new report from the American Cancer Society. American cancer
death rates have risen consistently since the 1900s; they peaked
in 1991 at 215.1 deaths per 100,000 in the population. The 2009
death rate, which just became available, is 173.1 per 100,000.
That's a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates from 1991. The
report also includes grim news. The ACS estimates 1.6 million
Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and more than 580,000
will die of cancer in 2013. As has been the case for decades,
only cardiovascular disease will kill more Americans. The
report, released Thursday, compiles the most recent data on
cancer incidence, mortality and survival. It is based on data
gathered by the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American
Association of Central Cancer Regis