A study just published in JAMA Network titled the Estimation of Cancer Deaths Averted From Prevention, Screening, and Treatment Efforts, 1975-2020 reveals advances in cancer prevention & screening have saved more lives from five major forms of cancer over the past 45 years than treatment breakthroughs. 💉🩹🩸

 

The research examined how prevention, screening & treatment from 1975 to 2020 helped reduce deaths from the five most common cancers: breast, cervical, bowel, lung, & prostate.

 

Statistical models estimate screening interventions were responsible for 80 per cent of lives saved in the study.

 

Key study findings: 💡

• Breast cancer: of 2.71 million deaths, 1 million were prevented, with treatment advances accounting for 75 per cent
• Lung cancer: tobacco control efforts prevented 98 per cent of 3.45 million deaths, with treatment advances contributing to the remainder
• Cervical cancer: screening saved 160,000 lives
• Colorectal cancer: 940,000 deaths were averted, with screening responsible for 79 per cent, and treatment advances for 21 per cent, respectively
• Prostate cancer: screening accounted for 56 per cent of the 360,000 deaths averted, with treatment advances responsible for the remaining 44 per cent.

 

“Eight out of 10 deaths from these five cancers over the past 45 years were prevented due to advances in prevention & screening,” said co-Lead Investigator & Director of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Dr Katrina Goddard, Maryland, USA.

 

In light of these findings, the @Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) has called upon the Australian Government to allocate 5 per cent of total health expenditure to cancer prevention.

 

According to a 2024 @Australian Government study, Cancer data in Australia, cases increased from 88,000 in 2000, to 169,000 in 2024, with projections set to reach 209,000 by 2034.

 

Given the profound impact on the lives of those diagnosed with cancer, the ongoing development of preventive screening programs will prove crucial in providing further support to those diagnosed with the disease.

 

To read full study, head to: jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2827241

 

#Cancer #CancerPrevention #screening #CancerControl #ScreeningSavesLives #healthnews #healthcommunications #HealthcarePR