Cancer mortality rates decline in the US

For the report, researchers analyzed data from NCI and CDC population-based cancer registries, as well as from the National Center for Health Statistics' National Vital Statistics System.

Overall, cancer mortality rates have declined over the last 20 years, decreasing by 2.1% per year between 2001 and 2018 and 1.5% per year between 2018 and 2022. Among men, cancer mortality rates decreased by an average of 1.7% per year between 2018 and 2022, while women saw an average decrease of 1.3% per year.

Between 2018 and 2022, cancer mortality rates among men decreased for 12 of the 19 most common cancers. At the same time, cancer mortality rates among women decreased for 14 of the 20 most common cancers.

"Progress has been made in reducing overall cancer mortality, largely driven by sustained declines in lung cancer," the researchers wrote.

Women see increased cancer incidence

Although overall cancer mortality rates have decreased, the NCI report also found that women have experienced a slight increase in cancer diagnoses compared to men. Since 2013, cancer incidence rates in men have been stable, but they have increased by 0.3% a year in women.

Between 2017 and 2021, men saw increases in prostate, pancreas, oral cavity and pharynx, kidney and renal pelvis, myeloma, and testis cancers. During the same time, women saw increases in stomach, liver and intrahepatic bile duct, melanoma of the skin, breast, myeloma, pancreas, corpus and uterus, oral cavity, pharynx, leukemia, and kidney and renal pelvis cancers. 

In addition, the researchers also noted significant disparities when it came to mortality rates for certain kinds of cancers among women.

For example, Black women continue to experience a 40% higher breast cancer mortality rate than white women. Similarly, uterine cancer mortality rates among Black women are double those of white women.

According to Anton Bilchik, surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute, the disparities in female cancer rates were "alarming" and more work needed to be done to address socioeconomic factors and improve access to healthcare.

"Women who have less access to healthcare have a large increase in certain cancers, such as breast and uterine cancer, compared to those who have access to screening," Bilchik said. Routine screening can help diagnose cancer at earlier stages, which makes the disease easier to treat.

To help reduce your risk of cancer, Jack Jacoub, a medical oncologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers, recommended:

• Eating a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in plants and antioxidants
• Maintaining a healthy weight and BMI
• Avoiding or quitting smoking
• Avoiding or limiting your drinking
• Exercising regularly
• Getting any recommended vaccinations

Separately, Bilchik emphasized the importance of a healthy gut microbiome in combatting inflammation and ensuring overall health.

"Processed foods or too much alcohol can have a negative impact on the microbiome, which has been shown to have an impact on our immune system," he said. "When the microbiome is not balanced, there's a higher risk of cancer."

Advisory Board's oncology resources

For more insights on oncology, check out these Advisory Board resources:

Growth in demand and costs, as well new technologies and disruptors, will change how cancer care is delivered, experienced, and paid for going forward. This resource outlines four predictions for how the cancer care delivery landscape will evolve by 2030.

Separately, this market insight explains three strategies organizations can use to leverage oncology pharmacists and improve cancer care. Similarly, these ready-to-use slides outline the major structural shifts impacting cancer care, as well as the strategic decisions that oncology leaders will need to make.

You can search through these oncology topics to see more related resources, including service line outlooks, case studies, and more.