November 25, 2008 Research: Cancer rates fall in U.S. Play video

(NECN/ABC) - The overall cancer rate in the U.S. dropped by nearly 1 percent per year between 1999 and 2005, thanks largely to decreases in some of the most common cancers, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

Men had sizable drops in their rates of lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers.

Women had decreases in their rates of breast and colorectal cancer.

Researchers say reductions in smoking have helped drive down many types of cancer, but especially lung cancer.

California, where tobacco control is especially strong, had nearly twice the reduction in lung cancer compared to most other states.

Reduced postmenopausal hormone use has triggered a decline in breast cancer, and colon cancer has likely dropped due to wider use of colonoscopies, which catch cancer before it has fully developed.

Some cancers, however, are still on the rise: melanoma, liver, and kidney cancers have all increased over the past 10 years.

Experts say better sun protection, lower rates of hepatitis, and reversal of the obesity trend could send even MORE cancers into decline in the near future.

ABC's Dr. Timothy Johnson has more in this Medical Minute.

Source: Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.