Deaths from cancer have been decreasing over time. Treatments have improved—but so have screening and prevention efforts. Researchers set out to determine how much each of these interventions (prevention, screening, and treatment) contributes to the decrease in cancer deaths. They looked at the number of cancer deaths averted from 1975 to 2020 for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. Interventions included smoking reduction for prevention of lung cancer, screening for early detection of breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and treatment of breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
Of the estimated 5.94 million cancer deaths averted for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers combined, the authors concluded that cancer prevention and screening efforts were responsible for 4.75 million (8 of 10 averted deaths).
• Screening and removal of precancerous lesions was responsible for nearly all of the cervical cancer deaths avoided. (There were few advances in treatment during the study period.)
• For colorectal cancer, screening and removal of precancerous polyps or early detection accounted for 79 percent of deaths averted and treatment advances for 21 percent.
• Early detection through screening contributed to 56 percent of prostate cancer deaths avoided.
• Screening and early detection deterred 25 percent of breast cancer deaths.
• Smoking reduction accounted for 98 percent of lung cancers prevented (although there were few effective treatments before 2014 and very few people get screened for lung cancer).
Get screened! Women aged 21 to 29 should have a Pap test every three years and those aged 30 to 65 should have an HPV test alone or along with a Pap test every 5 years (screening over age 65 is only recommended for women at high risk). Adults at average risk for colorectal cancer should be screened every five to 10 years (depending on screening method and risk) from age 45 until at least age 75. Men aged 55 to 69 should discuss the potential benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider. Men aged 70 or older should consider their overall health and life expectancy when making a decision. It is recommended women ages 40 to 74 who are at average risk for breast cancer should get a mammogram every 2 years. Current or past smokers ages 50 to 80 should discuss screening for lung cancer with their healthcare provider.