Cancer-Related Deaths Decreasing in Europe December 3
A study conducted by Cristina Bosetti, ScD of the Mario Negri Institute in Milan, Italy and other co-researchers reportedly indicated a decline in the rates of cancer-related deaths in Europe. The decline is being attributed to improved screening techniques as well as a decrease in cigarette smoking.
The cancer death rate in the European Union reportedly dropped from 185.2 to 168 for every hundred thousand men and from 104.8 to 96.9 for every hundred thousand women when comparing figures from the period 1990 until 1994 with that of the period from 2000 to 2004.
One of the key contributing factors to the decline in the overall cancer death rate was the 16% decrease in deaths due to lung cancer among men. Also contributory were declines in gastric and colorectal cancer deaths in men as well as declines in deaths due to breast and cervical cancer among women.
These same observations were also noticeable in the United States, based on findings from the American Cancer Society. This is indicative of the fact that the detection and treatment for cancer is showing improvement on a global scale.
Patterns in cigarette smoking, however, vary in certain areas across Europe. While there seems to be a decline in cigarette smoking as a whole, it was reportedly noted that differences in the prevalence of cigarette smoking affect the level of mortality due to cancer in various areas.
In contrast to the overall decrease in cancer death rates, an increase in deaths due to head and neck cancers was observed, especially in former Communist countries. This increase was traced back to smoking and increased alcohol intake in those areas.
The researchers recommended that focus be further placed on reducing tobacco smoking in order to control the incidence of cancer in Europe. They also recommend interventions in alcohol drinking, and improved implementation of screening, early diagnosis, and therapeutic advancements for treatable cancers.
Tags: cancer deaths, cancer medication, cancer prevention, cancer treatment