Cancer Deaths-Fact Sheet

CANCER MILESTONE

Cancer deaths in United States fall for first time in over 70 years.

556,902 died from cancer in 2003; down 369 from 2002.

Death rate has been falling, but population keeps rising.

THE EXPLANATION

Smoking on decline; cancer spotted earlier and treated better.

MOST COMMON CANCERS (2003)

Lung: men, 89,964; women, 68,122

Colon, rectum: men, 28,007; women, 27,951.

Breast: men, 380; women, 41,620.

Prostate: men, 29,554.

SIGNIFICANCE

Half-million still die every year, but drop encouraging.

Total deaths may rise again because of aging population.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics