20

— The percent by which death rates for cancer overall have dropped in the U.S. over the last two decades

From 1991 to 2009, 24% fewer men and 16% fewer women have died from cancer on average, which means improved screening and treatment methods, as well as prevention efforts such as stop-smoking campaigns, have saved about 1.2 million lives. Death rates for the most common cancers, including lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers each declined by more than 30% over nearly 20 years. Still, the American Cancer Society estimates that more 1,660,290 new cancer cases and 580,350 deaths will occur in 2013. [via American Cancer Society]

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