| Cancer death rates decreased on the average of | | | | control services. |
| 2.1 percent per year from 2002 through 2004 | | | | Authors also found current smoking rates were |
| according to a new report from the Nation's | | | | high among AI/AN overall, with the highest |
| leading cancer organizations. This is nearly twice | | | | prevalence among AI/AN in Alaska and in the |
| the annual decrease of 1.1 percent per year from | | | | Northern Plains. In all the regions, there were |
| 1993 through 2002. These findings are listed in the | | | | more AI/AN than NHW persons reported being |
| "Annual Report to the National on the Status of | | | | obese, and screening rates for breast, colorectal, |
| Cancer, 1975-2004, Featuring Cancer in Americans | | | | prostate and cervical cancers were lower among |
| Indians and Alaska Natives" published online | | | | AI/AN than NHW persons. |
| October 15, 2007, and also appearing in the | | | | Cancer researchers and specialists now have an |
| November 15, 2007, issue of Cancer. | | | | infrastructure in this country for obtaining |
| This significant decline in cancer death rates | | | | high-quality information about new cases of |
| demonstrates progress in our fight against cancer | | | | cancer. They can describe the successes in |
| which includes:o Effective tobacco controlo | | | | cancer interventions and treatment as well as |
| Effective screening techniqueso Early detectiono | | | | uncover the groups of people with varying risks |
| Appropriate treatmento Healthier eating | | | | and outcomes. We would be ill-equipped to |
| Experts agree that the evidence is unmistakable | | | | address the challenges we face in further reducing |
| and our nation is truly turning the tide in the battle | | | | the cancer burden without this surveillance |
| against cancer. Another important aspect to even | | | | according to Holly L. Howe, Ph.D., executive |
| further gains in the U.S. is if everyone had access | | | | director of North American Association of Central |
| to essential healthcare, including primary care and | | | | Cancer Registries (NAACCR). |
| prevention services. | | | | The study was conducted by scientists at the |
| Incidence rates for female breast cancer dropped | | | | CDC, ACS, NCI, all part of the National Institutes |
| substantially from 2001 through 2004. Experts feel | | | | of Health, and NAACCR. They collaborated with |
| this drop is possibly related to declining use of | | | | scientists from the Indian Health Service and |
| hormone replacement therapy as well as the | | | | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. |
| recently reported decline in use of screening | | | | Source: National Cancer Institute Online |
| mammography. | | | | Disclaimer: These statements have not been |
| In the Special Feature section of the report, | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| authors found AI/AN women in all regions of the | | | | The information in this article is not intended to |
| U.S. were less likely than NHW women to be | | | | diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All |
| diagnosed with localized breast cancer. Reasons | | | | health concerns should be addressed by a qualified |
| may be that AI/AN populations were more likely | | | | health care professional. |
| to live in poverty and less likely to have a high | | | | © 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved |
| school education and health coverage when | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource |
| compared to NHW persons. These statistics are | | | | box. |
| indicators of less access to cancer prevention and | | | | |