Cancer deaths falling, but study finds room for improvement

Cancer deaths in the U.S. have dropped by more than 25% between 1991 and 2016, but there is still room for improvement, according to a new review of cancer-reducing strategies from researchers at the American Cancer Society. Here’s a closer look at the study’s findings:

• Tobacco use: Nearly a third of all cancer deaths are in cigarette smokers, and despite an overall decline in tobacco use, certain populations still have high rates of smoking. Only 5% of female college graduates smoke, for instance, compared to 30% of men who have less than a high school education.
• Physical activity: 2% of all cancer deaths can be attributed to a lack of physical activity, yet about a quarter of adults in 2017 reported no leisurely physical activity.
• HPV: The infection is linked to a range of cancers, including almost all cervical and anal cancers. But in 2017, only 53% of girls ages 13-17 and 44% of boys in the same age group were vaccinated against HPV, despite evidence that the vaccine can prevent up to 90% of HPV-related cancers.