According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Americans with a history of cancer was 11.7 million in 2007, or 4% of the population. This number is up from about 3 million in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001, according to a report published in the March 11th issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Although this seems frightening at first, the number of cancer survivors is also rising as earlier diagnosis through screening, more effect treatment, improved follow-up care, and an aging population increases. Because cancer survivors are living longer after diagnosis and the US population is aging, the number of people living with a history of cancer is expected to continue to increase.
Report authors suggest that the increasing number of cancer survivors underscores the need for medical professional to look at the long-term and late effects on cancer survivor’s physical and psychosocial well-being.
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Tags: aging population, cancer, cancer survivors, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
