Health

Cancer deaths are declining, but disparities remain among women and minority groups

In general, the incidence of cancer in women has not declined as rapidly. Also, breast cancer in black women has a much higher mortality rate than white women.

Cancer mortality continues to decline, but a new analysis by the American Cancer Society reveals persistent disparities between women and minority groups.

Incidence of prostate cancer increased for the first time in 20 years, The American Cancer Society reported last week. The incidence of prostate cancer he said rose each year from 2014 to 2019, with about 99,000 new cases. This data is after screening guidelines were changed several years ago.

In another alarming finding, the American Cancer Society says there is a disparity in cancer incidence between women and men.of findings Published in the Journal of the American Cancer Society CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Overall, cancer mortality has declined by 33% from its peak in 1991 to 2020. Latest data available. An estimated 3.8 million cancer deaths have been prevented, many of them due to reduced smoking and improved treatment, the Cancer Society said.

gender gap

In general, cancer incidence in women did not improve as much as in men. Lung cancer in women declined about half as fast as in men, according to the Cancer Society. The incidence of lung cancer in men decreased by 2.6% annually from her 2006 to 2007, while the incidence of lung cancer in women decreased by about 1.1% per year.

Women also had higher rates of liver cancer and melanoma, and the rates of these cancers decreased in men under 50 years of age and remained constant in older men.

Women also had higher rates of breast and endometrial cancer, according to the Cancer Society.

The incidence of breast cancer in women has risen slowly but steadily since the mid-2000s. Medical practitioners are concerned that breast cancer incidence and mortality may increase in the coming years. Many women postpone mammograms during COVID-19 pandemic.

The incidence of cervical cancer among young women is declining. In women aged 20-24, the incidence of cervical cancer decreased by 65% from her 2012 to 2019 thanks to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Mortality from lung cancer has declined sharply in both men and women. Mortality from lung cancer in men fell 58% from 1990 to 2020, and in women he fell 36% from 2002 to 2020.

racial disparity

The data also showed troubling disparities by racial group. According to the Cancer Society, black men have a much higher incidence of prostate cancer, 70 percent higher for him than white men and twice as high for Hispanic men.

Despite the 4% lower incidence of breast cancer among black women, the mortality rate for black women from breast cancer is 40% higher than for white women. The mortality difference remains stable during her 10-year period.

American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest cancer mortality rates among men and women, and black Americans had the highest rates.

Part of the reason has to do with income inequality and declining access to healthcare, but the cancer society found that the disparity goes beyond access.

Among individuals with a median annual household income greater than $75,000, blacks have a lower five-year cancer survival rate (67%) than white Americans (72%).

The study also found that black children were 24% more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer than white Americans.

ExBulletin

Cancer deaths are declining, but disparities remain among women and minority groups