The American Cancer Society has just published its latest statistics for 2013. I always scan through this document every year because I find it full of little cancer tidbits and factoids that are interesting from the patient point of view. You can view the document here.

The best little factoid this year's statistics provide is that cancer deaths are down 20% since 1991 when they peaked. This is the result of many advances and programs:

- smoking reduction since the 1960's
- screenings - mammograms, colonoscopies
- treatment options - radiation, chemotherapy protocols, hormonal treatments, and more.

 

While this is good news, we still have a long way to go in treatment, prevention, and cure.