Researchers from the National Cancer Institute, led by Meredith S. Shiels, have outlined opportunities to prevent, detect, and treat common cancers in order to achieve the Cancer MoonshotSM goal – to reduce age-standardized cancer mortality rates by at least 50% over the next 25 years.
CHDS faculty Nicole Campos examined trends in U.S. cancer mortality during 2000 to 2019 for all cancers and the six leading types (lung, colorectum, pancreas, breast, prostate, and liver) as a co-investigator of the Cancer Discovery study. Findings indicated that in order to meet the Cancer MoonshotSM goal, progress against lung, colorectal, and breast cancer deaths needs to be maintained or accelerated, and new strategies for prostate, liver, pancreatic, and other cancers are needed.
Pathways outlined in the study include further reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking and other tobacco products, increasing colonoscopy uptake for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, increasing the use of hormone therapy to prevent and treat breast cancer, and increasing detection and treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections to reduce the risk of liver cancer. New strategies are needed to reduce mortality due to prostate, liver, pancreatic, and other cancers, as well as to address inequities in access to interventions. The publication of the study coincides with the release of the National Cancer Plan.
Learn more: Read the publication, Opportunities for Achieving the Cancer Moonshot Goal of a 50% Reduction in Cancer Mortality by 2047
Learn more: Read the accompanying commentary by Director of the National Cancer Institute Monica Bertagnolli and colleagues.
Learn more: Read the NCI press release.
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