Cancer Statistics Update-Demographics Part II
The following statistics are from a joint report of the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They indicate that the overall death rates from cancer declined on the average about 0.5% a year from 1990 to 1995 compared with a increase in the rate of 0.4% in the years between 1973 and 1990. (See our commentary on Cancer research)
For lung cancer, the latest figures indicate a decrease of 1.1% a year from 1990 to 1995 while, during the years 1973 to 1990, incidence of cancer increased 18% a year between 1973 and 1990.
The rate of breast cancer has now leveled out after rapidly increasing during the years 1973 to 1990. Deaths from breast cancer have dropped over the last five years, but only for white and Hispanic women. Increased screening may account for the stopping of the rapid increase of beast cancer during 1973 to 1990.
The incidence of prostate cancer declined from 1990 to 1995 for white and black men and the death rate has decreased for all except Hispanic men. (See our articles on prostate cancer)
The incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma
appear to be on the rise.
Source: Cancer 1998:82:1197-1207.
See our article on Demographics-Part I-Some Tidbits
FOR AN INFORMATIVE AND PERSONAL ARTICLE ON PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS WHEN SELECTING A NURSING HOME SEE OUR ARTICLE "Selecting a Nursing Home"
Harold Rubin, MS, ABD, CRC, Guest Lecturer
August 27, 1999
http://www.therubins.com