Showing posts with label American Cancer Society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Cancer Society. Show all posts

Saturday, July 22, 2017

American Cancer Society Report Shows Ongoing Decline in Cancer Rates

 
A radiation oncologist with an MD from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya works as a physician with Predictive Medical Solutions and Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX. Beyond his day-to-day activities treating patients, Dr. Raj Dahiya maintains memberships with several organizations, including the American Cancer Society. 

Each year since 1998, the American Cancer Society has partnered with the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Cancer Institute to produce the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. The report highlights new cancer cases and provides stats on death rates and cancer trends in the United States. 

According to the 2017 report, which was released in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on March 31, cancer rates among men, women, and children continue to decline nationwide. The report also shows that survival rates for several types of cancer have increased significantly, even among those diagnosed with late-stage disease. 

The study authors point to advancements in early detection and treatment methods as well as a decline in tobacco use as the reasons for the decrease in overall cancer rates and increase in survival rates. With over 40 million American adults still smoking on a regular basis, however, the report highlights the need for continued efforts to reduce the number of American smokers even further.

Friday, June 9, 2017

ACS Says Prostate Cancer Screening Rates Have Stabilized


A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya has worked at a number of facilities during his career, including at Predictive Medical Solutions, before taking his current job as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX. Outside of his work as an MD, Dr. Raj Dahiya helps in the fight against cancer by supporting the efforts of the American Cancer Society.

According to researchers with the American Cancer Society, changes to screening recommendations which initially led to a decline in prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests now have less of an impact, with the decline now tapering off. When the US Preventive Services Task Force issued its recommendations against PSA testing in 2008, rates dropped by seven percent over a three-year period in men over the age of 50.

Recent research shows, however, that the screening rate has stabilized since 2015, with approximately 32.1 percent of men aged 50-plus receiving PSA screenings. Researchers attribute the stabilization to recent research indicating that older men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer at a slightly increased rate, prompting more men to get screened and others to be screened more frequently.