NIH

In five cancer types, prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives

December 6, 2024

Advancements in cancer prevention and screening have significantly reduced mortality rates for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers over the past 45 years, according to a recent NIH study. These five cancers, which account for nearly half of all new cancer diagnoses and deaths, saw 80% of the 5.94 million deaths averted due to prevention and screening efforts, with smoking cessation alone preventing 3.45 million lung cancer deaths.

The authors emphasize the critical role of integrating prevention and screening strategies with treatment advances to further reduce cancer mortality. For example, the 160,000 cervical cancer deaths averted were entirely prevented through screening methods like Pap and HPV testing. In colorectal cancer, of the 940,000 deaths averted (out of 3.45 million), 79% were due to screening and removal of precancerous polyps, with treatment advances accounting for the remaining 21%.

The five cancer sites included in the study account for less than half of all cancer deaths, and the authors acknowledge that the findings for these cancers may not necessarily apply to other cancers, especially those for which there aren't effective prevention, screening, or treatment interventions.

Source:

NIH. (2024, December 5). In five cancer types, prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives. [News release]. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/five-cancer-types-prevention-screening-have-been-major-contributors-saving-lives