Showing papers by "Ahmedin Jemal published in 2003"

Cancer statistics, 2003.

Abstract: Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year, and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival by using incidence data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Incidence and death rates are age adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. In the year 2003, we estimate that 1,334,100 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed, and 556,500 people will die from cancer in the United States. Age-adjusted cancer death rates declined in both males and females in the 1990s, though the magnitude of decline is substantially higher in males than in females. In contrast, incidence rates continued to increase in females while stabilizing in males. African-American males showed the largest decline for mortality. However, African Americans still carry the highest burden of cancer with diagnosis of cancer at a later stage and poorer survival within each stage compared with Whites. In spite of the continued decline in cancer death rates in the most recent time period, the total number of recorded cancer deaths in the United States continues to increase slightly due to the aging and expanding population.

Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2000, Featuring the Uses of Surveillance Data for Cancer Prevention and Control

Abstract: Background The American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) collaborate annually to update cancer rates and trends in the United States. This report updates statistics on lung, female breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers and highlights the uses of selected surveillance data to assist development of state-based cancer control plans. Methods Age-adjusted incidence rates from 1996 through 2000 are from state and metropolitan area cancer registries that met NAACCR criteria for highest quality. Death rates are based on underlying cause-of-death data. Long-term trends and rates for major racial and ethnic populations are based on NCI and CDC data. Incidence trends from 1975 through 2000 were adjusted for reporting delays. State-specific screening and risk factor survey data are from the CDC and other federal and private organizations. Results Cancer incidence rates for all cancer sites combined increased from the mid-1970s through 1992 and then decreased from 1992 through 1995. Observed incidence rates for all cancers combined were essentially stable from 1995 through 2000, whereas the delay-adjusted trend showed an increase that had borderline statistical significance (P =.05). Increases in the incidence rates of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men offset a long-term decrease in lung cancer in men. Death rates for all cancer sites combined decreased beginning in 1994 and stabilized from 1998 through 2000, resulting in part from recent revisions in cause-of-death codes. Death rates among men continued to decline throughout the 1990s, whereas trends in death rates among women were essentially unchanged from 1998 through 2000. Analysis of state data for the leading cancers revealed mixed progress in achieving national objectives for improving cancer screening, risk factor reduction, and decreases in mortality. Conclusions Overall cancer incidence and death rates began to stabilize in the mid- to late 1990s. The recent increase in the delay-adjusted trend will require monitoring with additional years of data. Further reduction in the burden of cancer is possible but will require the continuation of strong federal, state, local, and private partnerships to increase dissemination of evidence-based cancer control programs to all segments of the population.

Trends in breast cancer by race and ethnicity

Abstract: In this article, the American Cancer Society (ACS) describes trends in incidence, mortality, and survival rates of female breast cancer in the United States by race and ethnicity. It also provides estimates of new cases and deaths and shows trends in screening mammography. The incidence and survival data derive from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program; mortality data are from the National Center for Health Statistics. Approximately 211,300 new cases of invasive breast cancer, 55,700 in situ cases, and 39,800 deaths are expected to occur among women in the United States in 2003. Breast cancer incidence rates have increased among women of all races combined and white women since the early 1980s. The increasing rate in white women predominantly involves small (< or = 2 cm) and localized-stage tumors, although a small increase in the incidence of regional-stage tumors and those larger than five cm occurred since the early 1990s. The incidence rate among African American women stabilized during the 1990s for all breast cancers and for localized tumors. African American women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with large tumors and distant-stage disease. Other racial and ethnic groups have lower incidence rates than do either white or African American women. However, the proportion of disease diagnosed at advanced stage and with larger tumor size in all minorities is greater than in white persons. Death rates decreased by 2.5% per year among white women since 1990 and by 1% per year among African American women since 1991. The disparity in mortality rates between white and African American women increased progressively between 1980 and 2000, so that by 2000 the age-standardized death rate was 32% higher in African Americans. Clinicians should be aware that 63% and 29% of breast cancers are diagnosed at local- and regional-stage disease, for which the five-year relative survival rates are 97% and 79%, respectively. This information, coupled with decreasing mortality rates and improvements in treatment, may motivate women to have regular mammographic and clinical breast examinations. Continued efforts are needed to increase the availability of high-quality mammography and treatment to all segments of the population.

Cancer Statistics for Hispanics, 2003

Abstract: In this article, the American Cancer Society (ACS) provides estimates on the number of new cancer cases and deaths, and compiles health statistics on the US Hispanic population. The compiled statistics include cancer incidence, mortality, and behaviors relevant to cancer using the most recent data on incidence from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiolgy, and End Results (SEER) Program, mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics, and behavioral information from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS], Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System [YRBSS], and National Health Interview Survey [NHIS].) An estimated 67,400 new cases of cancer and 22,100 cancer deaths will occur among Hispanics in 2003. Hispanics have lower incidence and death rates from all cancers combined and from the four most common cancers (breast, prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum) than non-Hispanic whites. However, Hispanics have higher incidence and mortality rates from cancers of the stomach, liver, uterine cervix, and gallbladder, reflecting in part greater exposure to specific infectious agents and lower rates of screening for cervical cancer, as well as dietary patterns and possible genetic factors. Strategies for reducing cancer risk among Hispanics include further development of effective interventions to increase screening and physical activity, reductions in tobacco use and obesity, and the development and application of effective vaccines.

Lung cancer rates convergence in young men and women in the United States: analysis by birth cohort and histologic type.

Abstract: Age-specific rates of lung cancer have been consistently higher for men than for women in the United States, due primarily to different patterns of cigarette smoking. Gender differences in cigarette smoking have diminished in recent birth cohorts, however, especially among whites. We used U.S. population-based incidence and mortality data and examined trends in age-specific rates of lung cancer by birth cohort according to gender, ethnic group, and histology to evaluate the generational changes in U.S. lung cancer risk for men vs. women. All tests of statistical significance are 2-sided (95% confidence interval [CI]). Lung cancer mortality rates have converged between men and women born after 1960, especially in whites. The male-to-female (M:F) mortality rate ratio for ages 35-39 years decreased from 3.0 (95% CI = 2.7-3.4) around the 1915 birth cohort to 1.1 (95% CI = 1.0-1.1) around the 1960 birth cohort among whites and from 4.0 (95% CI = 3.2-5.0) around the 1925 birth cohort to 1.5 (95% CI = 1.3-1.7) around the 1960 birth cohort among blacks. Similarly, incidence rates for white men and women converged rapidly for adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, but less so for squamous cell carcinoma. These findings reflect the smoking patterns among white and black men and women: cigarette smoking prevalence at age 24 was essentially equal among white men and women born after 1960 but continued to be higher in black men than women. The convergence of lung cancer death rates among men and women born after 1960s supports the idea that males and females maybe equally susceptible to develop lung cancer from a given amount of cigarette smoking, rather than the hypothesis that women are more susceptible.

Lung cancer trends in young adults: an early indicator of progress in tobacco control (United States).

Abstract: Objective: Tobacco smoking is known to increase lung cancer occurrence beginning in young adulthood, although age-specific rates have not been used to monitor the early consequences of tobacco control efforts in the United States. We evaluated state trends in lung cancer death rates among young adults in relation to an index of state tobacco control activities and conventional indices of current smoking and cessation. Methods: We calculated lung cancer death rates in young adults (age 30–39 years) over two time intervals from 1990–1994 through 1995–1999 in states with at least 25 deaths per interval. We measured the correlation of an index of state tobacco control in 1992–1993 with absolute rates and with total percent change during the two time intervals. Results: Both lung cancer death rates during the recent time interval (1995–1999) and the change in these rates from 1990–1994 correlated strongly and inversely with the index of state tobacco control efforts measured in 1992–1993. Lung cancer death rates decreased in states with high tobacco control efforts, but increased in states with low tobacco control efforts. Tobacco control indices were strongly and positively correlated with cessation of smoking by age 30–39 years. Conclusions: Lung cancer death rates among young adults are strongly and inversely correlated with recent indices of tobacco control. Future monitoring of the effectiveness of statewide comprehensive tobacco control programs should assess trends in lung cancer rates in young adults as well as youth and adult smoking prevalence.