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The Cancer Death Rate Continues To Drop In The US

Improved detection and treatment methods combined with a decline in smoking has contributed to the drop in cancer deaths.

The Cancer Death Rate Continues To Drop In The US

By: Ethan Weston

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Cancer deaths have been steadily declining over the past few decades, according to a new report by the American Cancer Society.

Between 1991 and 2015, cancer deaths fell by 26 percent. That's over 2 million fewer deaths than if cancer mortality rates hadn't dropped from their peak.

That's at least in part thanks to better cancer detection and treatments.

But there's another reason for the decline in cancer deaths. The researchers say a drop in smoking has helped a lot when it comes to preventing the disease.

Cancer is still the No. 2 killer in the U.S., and the organization expects over 1.5 million new cases in 2018.

But the report is still good news. The four major types of cancer all saw significant decreases in the past few decades.