One of the important drivers of the increase in overall cancer rates is the success we’ve had in reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease over the past many decades. As cv diseases decline as the #1 and #2 killers , there is an inevitable increase in #3- cancer.
After many decades of only limited progress in making meaningful extensions in cancer patients’ lives, these new approaches are improving cure rates and turning many cancers into chronic diseases.
Jeff - thanks for your comment. Clearly, the remarkable decrease in death from cardiovascular disease from 1970-2010 has meant that there are more people surviving to ages where their risk of cancer is higher. Decreased tobacco smoking played a large role, and statins have helped too. Alas, we've started seeing an increase in cardiovascular death since 2010 - and this started even before the pandemic. (The American Heart Association projects more future increases. https://employercoverage.substack.com/p/projected-increase-in-cardiovascular)
The increased rates of cancer cures are remarkable, and as you say converting a lethal disease into a chronic disease (like Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia with Gleevec) means many more people have cancer, but fewer die of it.
One of the important drivers of the increase in overall cancer rates is the success we’ve had in reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease over the past many decades. As cv diseases decline as the #1 and #2 killers , there is an inevitable increase in #3- cancer.
After many decades of only limited progress in making meaningful extensions in cancer patients’ lives, these new approaches are improving cure rates and turning many cancers into chronic diseases.
Jeff - thanks for your comment. Clearly, the remarkable decrease in death from cardiovascular disease from 1970-2010 has meant that there are more people surviving to ages where their risk of cancer is higher. Decreased tobacco smoking played a large role, and statins have helped too. Alas, we've started seeing an increase in cardiovascular death since 2010 - and this started even before the pandemic. (The American Heart Association projects more future increases. https://employercoverage.substack.com/p/projected-increase-in-cardiovascular)
The increased rates of cancer cures are remarkable, and as you say converting a lethal disease into a chronic disease (like Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia with Gleevec) means many more people have cancer, but fewer die of it.
Thanks for the comment!