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November 1996 Statement by Dr. James Marks, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC is pleased to share in this announcement of the first reported decline in cancer mortality rates -- a milestone in our nation's progress in the battle against a dreaded disease and the number 2 killer in our nation. In the last 25 years, we have learned much about the causes of cancer, as well as effective methods for prevention and treatment. Prevention and control measures now exist to substantially reduce the number of new cases of cancer each year -- and ultimately, reduce the number of deaths. As today's announcement indicates, we are beginning to see positive effects from cancer intervention efforts. Broad application of new knowledge is propelling us ever closer to gaining meaningful control over a devastating disease -- and toward making a remarkable difference in the lives of millions of Americans. In fact, many of our friends and family members alive today are walking proof that prevention, screening, and advancements in cancer treatment are working. This decline that we note today is built on decades of public health and prevention efforts, with contributions coming from all aspects of the health and medical care systems. As the Nation's Prevention Agency, CDC provides leadership and coordination in cancer control efforts by supporting the broad application of knowledge gained from basic research and by providing high quality surveillance data. Our goal is to transfer the benefits of surveillance and scientific research into practical interventions for the health of our citizens. Effective prevention and control measures exist now to substantially reduce the number of new cases of cancer each year. We know that about one-third of all cancer is caused by smoking, that a diet high in fruit, vegetables and fiber could prevent one-fourth of all cancers, and that thousands who die from breast and cervical cancer and colorectal cancer need not if they get screened regularly. As highlighted recently in A Report of the Surgeon General on Physical Activity and Health, we also know that regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. At CDC, we are proud that for the last three years , every state in the nation is benefiting from a tobacco control program through CDC initiatives, and that all 50 states are now funded for comprehensive breast and cervical cancer screening through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. In addition, adolescent school health programs that address tobacco use, nutrition, and physical activity are in place in most states. And we know how much these programs are needed, especially if continued declines in lung cancer are to be maintained. Exciting as today is--and it is truly historic--we also have to recognize that gains in the future are not automatic. During the same years that mortality has been declining, smoking rates among teens have increased, planting the seeds of cancer in the lungs of thousands more in the future. And although tobacco use among women is peaking, adverse health effects may continue for years to come. In addition to supporting public health programs, CDC monitors risk behaviors and cancer incidence. Surveillance systems, such as CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the national program of cancer registries, provide high quality cancer data for developing, implementing, and evaluating cancer control programs. Access to complete, reliable, and current data is paramount to continued success in our cancer control efforts. Although the study highlighted today does not include data on breast cancer, we are excited to see recent declines in breast cancer mortality rates, which probably result from earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. We have also noted substantial declines over the last 40 years in deaths from cervical cancer, and slight declines recently in colon cancer death rates. CDC's critical health initiatives have been instrumental in creating a nationwide community-based framework to help remove barriers to cancer screening, to provide public and health care provider education, and to ensure the availability of cancer data -- thus creating a public health infrastructure to enhance our nation's overall cancer prevention and control efforts. Numerous partners, such as the American Cancer Society, have made significant contributions to cancer prevention and control efforts. Through commitment to our common goal, ACS, the National Cancer Institute, and CDC can work in concert with numerous partners to capitalize on individual organizations' strengths while achieving collective synergy in the battle against cancer.

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