The American Cancer Society's annual trends report reveals some mixed results. Cancer deaths are falling, but cases are rising in some ethnic groups.
Jamil Rivers, a South Jersey mother of two, was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer at age 39.
“When I heard those words, cancer was devastating because my youngest was in kindergarten at the time,” Rivers said.
She is part of a growing trend of young people being diagnosed with cancer.
“The only age group where we see a real increase in cancer risk and incidence is under 50 years of age,” said Dr. William L. Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society.
Gender transitions are also occurring in cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society's annual report.
“Now we're finding for the first time that if you're a woman under 65, you're now more likely to develop cancer than a man,” Dahut said.
The report also said cancer incidence and death rates remain higher among Native Americans and black people.
“I think there are huge disparities and inequities in our health care system,” Rivers said.
The new report says that the death rate has continued to decline by 34% over the past three decades, and more than 500,000 people are still expected to die from cancer this year.
“The number of cancer deaths is literally equivalent to losing two mid-sized cities in this country,” Dahout said.
Doctors say staying healthy and getting the recommended checkups are the best ways to prevent cancer.
“Cancer is clarifying and makes you appreciate everything more, not just life, but the quality of my life,” Rivers said.
Rivers said she is learning to live with metastatic cancer and has a nonprofit to help other women and advocate for better equity.
stephanie starr
