Cancer Survival Statistics Show Dramatic Increase

Based on the statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it appears that the survival rate for cancer patients in the United States has improved dramatically over the last four decades. The figures were published this week in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in a study titled, “Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2007.”
According to the data the number people who have survived cancer has increased from 3 million in 1971 to 11.7 million in 2007. The study defined a cancer survivor as a person diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis through the balance of their life.
“It’s good news that so many are surviving cancer and leading long, productive, and healthy lives,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Preventing cancer and detecting it early remain critically important as some cancers can be prevented or detected early enough to be effectively treated. Not smoking, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy foods, and limiting alcohol use can reduce the risk of many cancers.”
Early detection based on improved diagnostic techniques is one of the many factors which were attributed to the increased survival numbers. Also noted were more effective treatments and improved follow-up. The fact that the U.S. population has increased over the years, as well as average life span among the population, was also considered to be a factor.