Improvements in cancer prevention and screening have played a significant role in averting more deaths from five common cancer types over the past 45 years than treatment advances, according to a recent study led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Published in JAMA Oncology on December 5, 2024, the study focused on deaths averted from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer through a combination of prevention, screening, and treatment advances. These five cancers were chosen due to their high prevalence and the availability of strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Co-lead investigator Katrina A. B. Goddard, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of prevention and screening in reducing cancer mortality. The study revealed that 80% of deaths averted from these five cancers between 1975 and 2020 were attributed to prevention and screening interventions.
Notably, smoking cessation was identified as the most impactful prevention intervention, preventing 3.45 million deaths from lung cancer alone. For breast cancer, treatment advances accounted for the majority of deaths averted, while prevention and screening played a key role in reducing mortality for cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer.
Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell, director of NCI, emphasized the need to combine effective strategies in prevention, screening, and treatment to further reduce cancer death rates. The study highlighted the contributions of different interventions to deaths averted from each cancer type, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive approach.
The researchers used statistical models and cancer mortality data to estimate the impact of prevention, screening, and treatment advances on cancer deaths. The results showed that prevention and screening were particularly effective in reducing mortality from these five cancers.
The study also identified opportunities for further reducing cancer deaths, such as promoting HPV vaccination and lung cancer screening. The authors emphasized the importance of making screening more accessible and developing new treatments to continue the positive trend in reducing cancer mortality.
While the findings focused on breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, the researchers acknowledged the need to expand these strategies to other types of cancer. They emphasized the importance of addressing disparities in access to prevention and screening interventions, especially among underserved populations.
In conclusion, the study highlights the significant impact of prevention and screening in averting cancer deaths and calls for continued efforts to optimize these interventions. By combining effective strategies in prevention, screening, and treatment, the medical community can further reduce cancer mortality and improve outcomes for patients.
