Question

How has cancer incidence and prevalence, as a whole (all types included), changed over the last 50 years?

Answer 1

Cancer has a huge impact on society in US and all around the world. Incidence of cancer means , the number of new cases find yearly.The estimated incidence rate of cancer in 2018 is 1,735,350 in US. During 2011-2015, the incidence was 439.2/10000 population. There was an incidence of 14.1 million during 2012 where as the incidence rate was only 6,25000 during 1970's. That means there is a drastic increase in the incidence rates of cancer over 50 years. And it is expected to increase 23.6 million by 2030.

Similarly the prevalence of cancer means the number of people already diagnosed with cancer and living with it. It is estimated that the current prevalence of cancer ranges from 2% to 0.2% of the population. And the worldwide prevalence rate of cancer is around 42 million people. When you compare the prevalence rates of cancer over 50 years , the number is more than double.

To recapitulate, the incidence and prevalence rates of cancer is increased over the last 5 decades ,but the death rate has decreased worldwide. The survival rate of cancer is doubled in the last 40 years because of the invention of new treatment modalities and life style modification . A lot of organisations work for the cancer cases and even the incidence is increasing the death rates are decreasing. Even though the prevalence is increasing, there is an increase in the survival rate too.