Delaware’s cancer initiative working well
A small but hugely important news article appeared in the Health and Fitness section of the Cape Gazette last week. Citing figures from the four-year period between 2003 and 2007, Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services reported significant decreases in the incidence of, and deaths from, all forms of cancer in Delaware.
Most significantly, the report showed that in the 10-year period from 1997 to 2007, the cancer death rate in Delaware decreased by 18 percent. It’s good news that all across the United States, cancer death rates are declining, but what’s really good news for Delawareans is that our 18 percent rate of improvement is 50 percent better that the 12.1 percent national rate of improvement over the same period.
The report also highlighted important improvements in mortality rates for African-American men and a reduction in disparities in colorectal cancer screening among Caucasians and African-Americans.
Over the past few years, readers and drivers have probably noticed an aggressive advertising campaign – including newspapers and billboards – raising the awareness of the importance of cancer screening as well as offering programs to help those who want to quit smoking.
That is just one part of a carefully planned attack on a disease that has taken a particularly high toll in Delaware. Environmental improvements play an important role in this good news, as do state funding programs that help pay for both screening and treatment for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them.
Most remarkably, state health officials note that while the number of Delawareans taking advantage of screening and subsequent treatment programs is on the rise, the money being spent for these programs is not increasing. How about that for good results? The fact is that screening provides earlier detection of cancer.
The earlier cancer is found, the less costly the treatment and the greater the chance for positive outcome.
It’s great to see this front-loaded state program, emphasizing early detection and prevention, showing such statistically measurable and positive results.
