HHS HealthBeat (April 2, 2012)

Kicking cancer to the curb

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Data from the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer tells us that cancer death rates are dropping. Between 2004 and 2008, death rates for all cancers combined decreased 1.6 percent per year. The reduction is a combination of healthier American lifestyles and understanding of different health risks.

Christie Eheman is an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Reductions in smoking have made a large impact on cancer rates.” (4 seconds)

Maintaining a healthy weight can help you decrease your risk for certain cancers. So can getting regular screenings.  

“Improved screening allows us to detect some cancers at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective.” (6 seconds)

The findings were coauthored by CDC researchers.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: April 2, 2012