NCI Reports on Cancer Progress

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has just released a new study-Cancer Progress Report 2001-the first in a planned series of reports designed to make scientific information on cancer more accessible and understandable to the general public.

"Overall, the report shows how the rates of both new cancers and cancer deaths are falling," said Barbara Rimer, director of NCI's Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), which had overall responsibility for compiling the data. She cited positive factors such as the growing adoption of state-of-the-art cancer treatments, reduced cigarette smoking by adults, and increased screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

But the report also illustrates where the nation is not making progress or is losing ground. For example, Rimer noted that greater efforts are needed to reduce tobacco use, obesity, inadequate protection of the skin from sunlight, and unexplained cancer-related health disparities for minorities.

The report was compiled using databases from NCI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other federal agencies, the American Cancer Society, professional groups, and cancer researchers. It provides detailed information on prevention efforts (behavioral and environmental); early detection; diagnosis; life after cancer; and end of life issues. The report also describes ongoing research activities that should lead to new treatments in the coming years.

"The public can use the report to better understand the nature of cancer and the results of strategies to fight it," said Dr. Robert Hiatt, also of DCCPS. "Policymakers can review past efforts and plan future ones; and researchers, clinicians and public health providers can focus on the gaps and opportunities identified to pave the way to future progress against cancer."

A free copy of Cancer Progress Report 2001 can be ordered by calling 1-800-4-CANCER and requesting publication T905. It can also be viewed online at: http://www.progressreport.cancer.gov.

SOURCE:
National Cancer Institute (http://www.nci.nih.gov)

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