DHSS Press Release |
Date: January 15, 2008 DHSS-6-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DELAWARE'S CANCER DEATH RATES DECLINING FASTER THAN THE NATION'S
Delaware Division of Public Health's recently released 2007 Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report indicates that the state's all-cancer mortality rate is declining faster than the nation's. The rate has declined from 206.9 in 1999-2003 to 201.7 in 2000-2004. This reduction has been more rapid in recent years than the1990s.
When comparing the 1995-99 rates to 2000-04 rates, the US all-cancer mortality average annual percent decline was 0.6 percent while Delaware's was 1.2 percent. During the same time period, the decline in the nation's cervical cancer mortality was 1.6 percent compared to Delaware's 4.0 percent. New cancer rates have also declined from 503.5 in 1999-2003 to 501.3 in 2000-2004. The incidence rates though, (excluding breast cancer) continue to exceed those of the nation.
The report identified lung/bronchus, colorectal, breast and prostate as the four most commonly occurring cancers among Delawareans, accounting for 55.3 percent of all cancers diagnosed during 2000-2004.
Prostate cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer for men, and breast cancer was identified as the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Lung cancer was the leading cause of all cancer-related deaths.
New cancer case rates among men declined 10.9 percent from 1990-94, compared to 9.0 percent among men nationwide. On the other hand, the rate among women - both in Delaware and the United States - remained relatively stable during the same time period.
When comparing rates among Caucasians and African-Americans, prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African-Americans, with lung/bronchus cancer being the most frequently diagnosed among Caucasians in the state. Although African-Americans had a higher all-cancer incidence rate (533.7 per 100,000 in 2000-04) than Caucasians (484.7 per 100,000 in 2000-04), the rate of decline among African Americans from 1990-94 (14.5 percent) is almost three times the rate of decline among Caucasians (5.5 percent).
For more information or to have access to the 2007 Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report please visit: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/ca_stats.html
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
