Overall mortality rates continue to decline, according to the most recent Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer.
This report, which appears in the
In 1999–2016, cancer death rates for men, women, and children continued to decline, according to the report.
When researchers looked at information from 2011–2015, considered all cancer sites, and examined all age group data, men had an overall incidence rate that was around 1.2 times higher than that of women.
Also, in 2012–2016, the overall death rate in men was 1.4 times higher than that of women.
However, the report uncovered data that shone a light on certain demographics where numbers were not quite so promising. For instance, in the 20–49 age group, there were a few notable differences in rates between men and women that did not reflect cancer rates as a whole.
When the researchers looked at this age group only, women had a much higher incidence rate of invasive cancers — namely, 115.3 per 100,000 people for men and 203.3 per 100,000 people for women.
During the 2012–2016 period, women also had a higher annual cancer death rate: 27.1 per 100,000 people for women and 22.8 per 100,000 people for men.
“The greater cancer burden among women than men ages 20 to 49 was a striking finding of this study,” says lead author Elizabeth Ward, Ph.D., a consultant at the NAACCR.
“The high burden of breast cancer relative to other cancers in this age group reinforces the importance of research on prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer in younger women.”
In the 20–49 age group, breast cancer was the most common type in women, followed by thyroid cancer and melanoma. For men, colorectal cancer was the most common, followed by cancer of the testis and melanoma.
According to the ACS, men and women in the United States have a
They also note that the
Genetics can play a part, as 5–10% of all cancers are linked to genes. Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals can also increase the risk of cancer. There are also lifestyle habits that can increase cancer risk, such as tobacco use and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.
Despite these statistics, the report did find that overall death rates decreased 1.8% per year in men and 1.4% per year in women for the 2012–2016 period. Also, although rates were higher in certain demographics, the report does signal where more research is necessary.
“We are encouraged by the fact that this year’s report continues to show declining cancer mortality for men, women, and children, as well as other indicators of progress.”
Betsy A. Kohler, executive director of the NAACCR
“There are also several findings that highlight the importance of continued research and cancer prevention efforts,” adds Kohler.