“You have cancer,” may be the most frightening thing a person can hear from their doctor.

However, it is not the death sentence it might have been 30 years ago. Early screenings, advancements in treatment, and a greater emphasis on prevention have helped reduce the incidence of some cancers and increased the survival rates of cancer patients.

By the Numbers

There were 1,958,310 cancer cases diagnosed in the United States in 2023. The American Cancer Society (ACS) projects more than 2 million new cases in 2024 and 611,720 cancer deaths. That’s about 1,676 deaths per day.

That number is high, but it’s dropped dramatically over the last 29 years. The cancer rate for men and women combined has fallen 33% from 1991 to 2020, according to the ACS.

That 33% drop means almost 3.8 million fewer people died due to cancer during that time. Much of that success is due to fewer people smoking, which led to drops in lung and other smoking-related cancers.

Other factors contributing to the lower death rate include:

• Chemotherapy after colon and breast cancer surgery.
• Combination treatments for more cancers.
• Early detection through improved screenings for cancers in the breast, cervix, colon, prostate, rectum, and lung.

Preventing Cancer

Sometimes cancer just happens. There could be hereditary factors that contribute to the development of cancers like colon, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer. Doctors have identified the gene mutations and are working to address them to prevent cancer development.

Other times, perfectly healthy people develop blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Even nonsmokers can develop lung cancer. It just happens.

However, anywhere from 30% to 50% of cancer cases are preventable. There are now vaccines that will reduce the risk of some sexually transmitted cancers. It is also important to practice the following to help lower your chances of developing certain cancers:

• Avoid tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco or e-cigarettes.
• Eat a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Practice safe sex.
• Get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation.
• Reduce exposure to other types of radiation because of work or environment.
• Reduce exposure to smoke from solid fuels like wood or coal.
• Have regular medical visits.

Disparities Remain

The overall progress in the fight against cancer has been promising. However, significant disparities exist when it comes to the diagnosis, treatment, and survival rates of certain groups, according to the National Cancer Institute.
 

• Blacks have higher death rates than any other ethnic group from many—though not all —cancer types.
• Black women are more likely than white women to die of breast cancer despite having similar rates of diagnosis.
• Black men are twice as likely to die of prostate cancer than white men. They also have the highest prostate mortality rate among all U.S. population groups despite the overall death rate dropping significantly.
• People with more education are less likely to die from colorectal cancer before the age of 65 than those with less education, regardless of race or ethnicity.
• Hispanic and Black women have higher rates of cervical cancer than women of other groups.

Start with Your Doctor

Having a good relationship with your primary care physician is the best way to begin your long-term health care journey. They can get you on a path that will help you avoid the risks that might lead to cancer. They can also help guide you to the right specialists, should you ever get that diagnosis.

You can find those relationships at AltaMed. Get started by contacting us today at (888) 499-9303.