1997 -- First overall downturn in cancer mortality rate is documented for the years 1991-1995. (source: NCI, published in Primary Care and Cancer, Volume 17 number 1 page 6)
· overall cancer death rates fell 1.6% between 1991-95
· lung cancer for men fell 6.7% between 1991-95
· colorectal cancer fell 18.6% between 1973-93 and 5.4% between 1991-95
· breast cancer fell 6.3% between 1991-95
· prostate cancer fell 6.2% between 1991-95
· testicular cancer fell 65.7% between 1973-93
· Hodgkin's disease fell 58.4% between 1973-93
· leukemia in children dropped 52.9% between 1973-93
· cancers in children (up to age 14) fell 44.4% between 1973-93
1997 -- American Cancer Society launched Reach to Recover Early Support Visits (pre-op support for women who have a suspicious mammogram, or who have just been diagnosed and are looking at treatment options).
1998 -- First overall decrease in cancer incidence rates; overall cancer incidence rates fell 5.7% between 1991-95.
The major reason for improvement in overall cancer mortality involves areas such as men stopping smoking, not the great advances in science and technology.