New diagnoses increase for certain cancer groups, despite decline in death rates, according to report.

The annual cancer report has presented a combination of positive findings and areas for improvement.

The American Cancer Society predicts that cancer diagnoses will surpass two million in 2025, resulting in approximately 618,120 deaths, according to their annual cancer trends report published today in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Data was gathered from central cancer registries and the National Center for Health Statistics by ACS researchers.

Despite a decrease in mortality rates, some groups are experiencing an increase in diagnoses, according to the report.

The decline in cancer mortality due to decreases in smoking, improved treatment, and earlier detection is undoubtedly positive news, according to Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the ACS in Georgia, as stated in a press release.

"Despite advancements in cancer treatment, the rise in cases among young and middle-aged women, who typically serve as family caregivers, and the shift in cancer incidence from men to women, echoing the early 1900s when cancer was more prevalent in women, pose a challenge."

Overall decline in death rates

The ACS report indicates that cancer death rates decreased by 34% from 1991 to 2022.

The report stated that approximately 4.5 million deaths were avoided due to early detection, reductions in smoking, and improvements in treatment.

John D. Carpten, Ph.D., the chief scientific officer at City of Hope, a national cancer research and treatment organization in California, pointed out several factors that likely contributed to the decline.

According to Carpten, smoking cessation and the fight against lung cancer, which is the most common type of cancer and is linked to tobacco use, are crucial battles.

"Certainly, I believe that the development of new and improved methods for detecting and screening colorectal cancer and other diseases has contributed to a decline in cases."

The development of new and better therapies for cancer, as well as lifestyle improvements, have contributed to a decrease in mortality, he stated.

Although overall mortality is decreasing, the report found that the death rate is increasing for certain types of cancer, including those of the oral cavity, pancreas, uterine corpus, and liver (for females).

The report stated that some common cancers, such as breast (female), prostate, pancreatic, uterine corpus, melanoma (female), liver (female), and oral cancers associated with the human papillomavirus, have seen an increase in diagnoses.

Increased diagnoses among certain groups

Diagnoses for many cancer types are increasing among certain groups.

The report showed that cancer rates for women aged 50 to 64 have exceeded those for men in the same age group. Additionally, the rates for women under 50 are 82% higher than the males in that age group.

Carpten believes that the "disconcerting trend" in women's cancers is likely "highly nuanced" and will require further investigation.

He stated that the decline in fertility and rise in obesity are risk factors for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal middle-aged women.

"Other modifiable risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and physical activity, could also be at play."

Cancer rates for women 50 to 64 years of age have surpassed those for men.

Carpten observed that another trend in the rise of early cancers is among individuals under the age of 50.

The study found that the incidence of colorectal cancer in men and women under 65, as well as cervical cancer in women aged 30 to 44, has risen.

Some cancer types are more commonly diagnosed among Native American and Black individuals, as discussed in the report.

The fight against cancer is hindered by significant, persistent disparities among various racial and ethnic groups, according to Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science at the ACS, as stated in the release.

Recent trends for children's diagnoses show a decline for those under 14 years old, but an increase for adolescents aged 15 to 19.

Since 1970, the mortality rates in children and adolescents have decreased by 70% and 63%, respectively, due to advancements in leukemia treatment, according to the ACS.

Pancreatic cancer a growing concern

The ACS report cautions about slow advancements in the fight against pancreatic cancer, which ranks third in cancer-related fatalities in the U.S.

Rates of diagnoses and deaths from the disease type are on the rise.

"Pancreatic is an incredibly deadly form of cancer," Carpten said.

Pancreatic cancer can sometimes grow undetected for up to 10 years, according to him.

"If we can identify those cancers when they're at at a curable stage, we can improve outcomes."

Early detection is one of the best opportunities for beating pancreatic cancer, according to Carpten.

At that stage, when the cancers have advanced, they have typically spread to the liver or other organs, making them nearly impossible to cure.

"By identifying cancers at an early, curable stage, we can improve outcomes."

‘It takes a village’

Carpten emphasized to Planet Chronicle Digital that making progress in fighting cancer requires a collective effort from everyone.

To achieve a decrease and an ultimate increase in cures, partnerships between the community, health care system, cancer researchers, government, and industry are necessary, as stated.

The interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, emphasized the importance of increasing investment in cancer treatment and care, particularly in equitable screening programs, as highlighted in the report.

"Expanding access to screening programs is vital for early detection and saving lives, as stated in the release," he said.

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"It is crucial to tackle the increase in cancer cases among women, which requires a collaborative effort from healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to determine the underlying causes of the rising mortality rates."

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the ACS for further comment.