DHSS Press Release

DELAWARE CANCER RATES DECLINE

State Continues to Close Cancer Incidence and Mortality Gap With Nation

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services announced progress today in both the incidence and mortality rates for all site cancers in Delaware. The data contained in the “Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Delaware, 2003-2007” report pointed to declines in both incidence and mortality across the state. The report also highlighted important improvements in mortality rates for African-American men and a reduction in disparities in colorectal cancer screening among Caucasians and African-Americans.

In Delaware from 1993-97 to 2003-07, the cancer death rate decreased 18 percent. The rate outpaced the U.S. rate, which dropped 12.1 percent, during the same 10-year period.

Delaware made progress in several areas:

• Delaware’s all site cancer mortality rate for males and females during the 10-year period decreased faster than the U.S. rate. Between 1993-1997 and 2003-2007, Delaware’s all-site cancer mortality rate for males decreased 22.4 percent compared to the U.S. rate of 15.7 percent. During the same period Delaware’s all-site cancer mortality rate for females decreased 15.2 percent, compared to the national rate of 10.9 percent.
• Disparities continued to decline. African-American men in Delaware had the greatest 10-year reduction in overall cancer incidence, falling 17.5 percent in the 10-year period from 1993-97 to 2003-2007. During the same period, all-site cancer incidence rates fell among Caucasian males, Caucasian females and African -American females by 2.9 percent, 0.5 percent and 11.1 percent, respectively.
• From 1993-97 to 2003-2007, the all-site cancer mortality rate for African-American males in Delaware decreased 38.7 percent.
• Delaware’s female breast cancer mortality rate declined 26.4 percent from 1993-1997 to 2003-2007, while the U.S. rate fell 20.3 percent during the same 10-year period. If the trend continues, Delaware’s breast cancer mortality rate may soon be significantly lower than the national rate.

Secretary Rita Landgraf praised the coordinated work of the Delaware Cancer Consortium, the Delaware Health Fund Advisory Committee and Governor Markell’s administration in informing Delawareans about cancer data and educating them about preventing the disease by making better lifestyle choices. Landgraf noted that her agency and the DCC members promote the availability of cancer screenings such as through Screening for Life for eligible persons; nurses to help persons navigate cancer screening and treatment; and treatment services such as the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program.

“At no other time in our state’s history have so many health partners worked in synchronization to help every Delawarean access cancer screenings or treatment, or to receive additional cancer information,” Landgraf said. “Helping Delawareans achieve a better quality of health is a top priority for Gov. Markell and his administration.”

But challenges remain:

• Delaware’s 2003-2007 overall cancer mortality rate of 193.5 per 100,000 persons was considerably higher than the U.S. rate of 183.8 per 100,000, leading the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to rank Delaware 12th in mortality for male/female combined all-site cancers.
• Delaware’s 2003-2007 all site cancer incidence rate (510.6 per 100,000) exceeded the U.S. rate by 7.8 percent (473.6 per 100,000).
• The 2003-2007 Delaware all-site cancer incidence rate among males was significantly higher than the rate among females; this difference persisted among African-Americans and Caucasians.
• Breast cancer incidence among African-American women in Delaware (132.1 per 100,000) was significantly higher than the U.S. rate (119.3 per 100,000). Among Caucasian females, breast cancer incidence in Delaware was slightly lower than the U.S. rate. The 2003-2007 female breast cancer incidence rate for Delaware of 124.8 per 100,000 was higher than the U.S. rate of 123.8 per 100,000, but the difference was not statistically significant.
• For colorectal cancer, Delaware’s 2003-2007 incidence rate was 5.6 percent higher than the U.S. rate, a statistically significant difference. Delaware’s 2003-2007 colorectal cancer incidence rate for males was significantly higher than the rate for females.
• Delaware’s 2003-07 lung/bronchus cancer incidence rate was 28.5% higher than the U.S. rate, and this difference is statistically significant.
• Delaware’s 2003-07 prostate cancer incidence rate is 17 percent higher than the U.S. rate, a statistically significant difference. Delaware’s prostate cancer cases are prevalent among both African-Americans and Caucasians.
• An analysis of cancer incidence rates by census tract found that 59 census tracts had significantly higher rates compared to the state’s average rate. The rates between census tracts may differ for a variety of reasons including a clustering of lifestyle behaviors such as smoking; environmental or occupational exposure to chemicals or a lack of such exposure; access to health care, including screenings; and chance or random variation.

Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Division of Public Health, highlighted the importance of reducing behavior risk factors, such as tobacco use, obesity and alcohol abuse, which can increase cancer risk. To educate and empower Delawareans, Public Health is reaching out to each person in Delaware, community health providers, and more to provide information on reducing cancer risk. In addition, Public Health is offering to meet with any community groups to discuss the cancer data and strategies for making healthy choices.

“Delaware has seen good progress the past few years, but more must be done,” said Dr. Rattay. “Public Health is committed to working with our community partners and all Delawareans to share what we know about cancer incidence and how to reduce risk for the disease.”

Between 2003 and 2007, a total of 23,509 cases of cancer were diagnosed in Delaware, 12,498 cases (53.2 percent) among males and 11,011 cases (46.8 percent) among females. During that five-year period, 8,926 Delawareans died from cancer: 4,654 (52.14 percent) were male and 4,272 (47.86 percent) were female.

The 2003-2007 cancer data report is posted on DPH’s website at this address: at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/cancer

DPH will arrange presentations about cancer rates, risks and prevention methods for community groups who call 302-744-1040.

During the next 12 months, the Division of Public Health plans to release three more reports on Delaware’s cancer rates. The next report, “Cancer Incidence in Delaware, 2005-2009,” is expected to be released this summer.

* Data are presented as five-year rolling averages to reduce the impact that short-term fluctuations may have due to the small size of Delaware’s population.

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.