GREEN BAY, WIS. – The American Cancer Society estimates the number of cancer deaths in Wisconsin in 2009 will be slightly lower than last year. The estimated number of new cancer cases, except for lung cancer and melanoma, are also predicted to be down this year in Wisconsin. The Society projects there will be more than 27,000 new cases of cancer in Wisconsin in 2009 and about 11,000 deaths.
The American Cancer Society’s newly released annual cancer statistics report, “Cancer Statistics 2009,” finds that for the first time since these data have been tracked, overall cancer incidence rates are now decreasing in the U.S. in both men and women. The report also states declines in U.S. cancer death rates equate to about 650,000 deaths from cancer avoided or delayed between 1990 and 2005. The decreases are direct results of improvements in public health, like reductions in smoking, earlier detection of cancers, and better treatments.
“Because the death rate continues to drop, it means that about 100,000 Americans each year who would have died from cancer are living to celebrate another birthday,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., American Cancer Society chief executive officer. “That is undeniable evidence of the lifesaving progress that we as a country must dedicate ourselves to continuing.”
The full Cancer Statistics report can be viewed at
www.cajournal.org, and the companion publication
Cancer Facts and Figures is available at
www.cancer.org/statistics.
