The number of deaths from many cancer types has dropped substantially in the U.S over the past 50 years. A study in the US shows that factors that contributed to this decrease included better treatments, prevention efforts (e.g anti-smoking campaigns) and cancer screening campaigns to detect cancer early.
Impact Of Cancer Screening
A research team led by Drs. Katrina Goddard and Philip Castle from NIH set out to better understand the contributions of prevention, screening, and treatment to the observed drop in cancer mortality. They used models developed by the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) through 2020.
Study Findings
The models examined deaths from five of the most common types of cancer: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. They projected how cancer mortality rates changed under four different scenarios: no advances in prevention, screening, or treatment; prevention and screening only; treatment advances only; and advances in prevention, screening, and treatment.
Contributions Of Prevention and Screening
The study estimated that between 1975 and 2020, almost 6 million deaths from these cancers were avoided due to cancer screening and prevention efforts, as well as improved cancer treatments. In aggregate, prevention and screening efforts accounted for about 4.75 million (80%) of the avoided deaths.
The contributions of prevention and screening were different for the various types of cancers. For example, 98% of lung cancer deaths were averted by efforts to help people stop smoking. On the other hand, nearly all deaths averted from cervical cancer were by screening and the removal of pre-cancerous growths. For breast cancer, improved treatments were responsible for most of the avoided deaths.
Dr Goddard says. “Eight out of 10 deaths from these five cancers that were averted over the past 45 years were due to advances in prevention and screening.”
Cancer Screening For Early Detection And Prevention
Learn more about cancer screening in Singapore:
Act Today To Protect Yourself Against Cancer
Cancer screening and prevention efforts have played a significant role in reducing cancer deaths in the U.S. over the past five decades, according to the study. The success of these interventions emphasises the importance of early detection, prevention and treatment of cancer for the best outcomes. Health365 has partner specialists and healthcare providers from Singapore and across the region, with expertise in a diverse range of cancers and health conditions.
To protect your continued health, shop for a health screening package from our e-shop, or contact us for a doctor’s appointment today.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.