Health

Deaths from cancer higher in rural America, CDC report says

While cancer deaths are declining overall, in rural areas the decline is much slower.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are more deaths in rural areas from tobacco-related cancers like lung cancer, and cancers that could be prevented by regular screening like colorectal and cervical cancers.

Data released Thursday in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is the first of its kind, showing a descriptive comparison of cancer deaths in rural and urban America.

“While geography alone can’t predict your risk of cancer, it can impact prevention, diagnosis and treatment opportunities. And that’s a significant public health problem in the U.S.,” CDC Acting Director Anne Schuchat says.

“Many cancer cases and deaths are preventable and with targeted public health efforts and interventions, we can close the growing cancer gap between rural and urban Americans.”

Lisa C. Richardson, oncologist and director of the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, echoes Schuchat’s sentiments. “Cancer – its causes, its prevention, and its treatment – is complicated.

“When I treat cancer patients, I don’t do it alone – other healthcare professionals and family members help the patient during and after treatment. The same is true for community-level preventive interventions.”

Richardson adds, “Partnerships are key to reducing cancer incidence and the associated disparities.”

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