Progress Toward Cancer-Reduction Targets

In a companion paper to the report, researchers measured progress toward the federal government’s 10-year national objectives for improving Americans’ health, an effort known as Healthy People 2020. Specifically, researchers examined progress in four common cancers: lung, prostate, female breast, and colorectal.

Healthy People 2020 targets for reducing death rates were met for all cancers combined as well as for lung, prostate, female breast, and colorectal cancers overall¾although not in all individual sociodemographic groups. Despite some progress over the past decade, the report shows the need to address disparities in cancer screening and in certain risk behaviors.

Healthy People 2020 targets were not met for adults to decrease cigarette smoking; to increase smoking cessation success; to reduce excessive alcohol use; or to reduce obesity prevalence¾all behaviors linked to cancer risk.

Other findings on Healthy People 2020 targets include:

From 2008 to 2015, breast cancer screening rates increased slightly among Hispanic women but dropped among other groups, particularly Asian women, women in rural areas, and women with public or no health insurance.

The target for breast cancer screening of 81.1% was not met in any group except those with advanced educational degrees. Breast cancer screening rates were lowest among uninsured women.

There was some improvement in colorectal cancer screening rates, which increased about 20% overall between 2008 and 2017 but did not reach the target of 70.5%, except among those with advanced educational degrees.

Colorectal cancer screening increased by 35% or more in some groups, including AI/AN and Hispanic men and women, and men and women without health insurance.

To view the full Report, go to

https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.32802external icon

Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part I: National Cancer Statistics

https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.32801external icon

Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part II: Progress Toward Healthy People 2020 Objectives for 4 Common Cancers


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon

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