The U.S. National Cancer Institute has found that without further action, the country will fall short of the Cancer Moonshot goal of cutting cancer deaths by at least 50% over the next 25 years. According to the institute, cancer deaths have been decreasing at an average of 2.3% per year. This rate is higher than the 1.4% per year reduction observed between 2000 and 2015. However, this rate of decrease will cut the cancer death rate by only 44% by 2047.

“This would be a tremendous amount of progress over this time period, but it would fall short of the 50% decline goal as outlined in the Cancer Moonshot,” Meredith Shiels, a senior investigator with the NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, said during a Monday media briefing at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla.

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Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States.

Disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment

To reach the Cancer Moonshot goal, the cancer death rate must decline by 2.7% per year, according to the National Institutes of Health and that that means disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment must be addressed. American Cancer Society data shows that black men and women have the highest cancer death rates in the country among all racial or ethnic groups. Cancer death rates are also significantly higher in the lowest-income counties compared to the wealthiest, according to JAMA Network Open. For young and middle-aged adults, the rate is 56% higher, while for seniors, it is 14% higher.

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The most common types of cancer in the US are breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer.

Specific advances needed to prevent and treat cancer

A report in Cancer Discovery identified specific advances that are needed to prevent and treat the six leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. Lung, colon, pancreas, breast, prostate, and liver cancers together caused 57% of the 600,000 cancer deaths in 2019, the American Cancer Society reports. Progress against these types of cancers is required to meet the Cancer Moonshot goal, though three of these cancers are already in substantial decline: lung (-4.7% per year), colon (-2%), and breast (-1.2%).

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Reducing smoking, obesity, sedentary behavior, and alcohol consumption can help reduce cancer rates.

Reducing smoking, obesity, sedentary behavior, and alcohol consumption

Greater reduction in these cancers could occur by reducing smoking, obesity, sedentary behavior, and alcohol consumption. Improving the use of effective screening tools such as low-dose CT scans, colonoscopy, and mammography, and increasing the use of hormone therapy to prevent and treat breast cancer are other ways to achieve the goal.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, and it is responsible for a large number of cancer-related deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer, including lung, throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers resources and support for those looking to quit smoking, including quitlines, counseling, and medications.

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A healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can help prevent many types of cancer.

A study in Molecular Oncology shows that obesity and sedentary behavior are also significant risk factors for cancer. Obesity increases the risk of developing many types of cancer, including breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer. Sedentary behavior, such as sitting for long periods of time, has been linked to an increased risk of developing colon, endometrial, and lung cancer. Engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing these types of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week for adults.

Advances needed for prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancer

The National Cancer Institute analysis found that progress against the other three top cancers has been less than ideal. Death rates from prostate cancer have slowed from an average of 3.4% per year between 2003 and 2013 to 0.6% per year between 2013 and 2019. Liver cancer death rates have declined by 0.5% per year, while pancreatic cancer deaths have been increasing by 0.2% per year. To address these cancers, the analysis calls for developing new drugs targeting KRAS, increased detection and treatment of hepatitis B and C infections, and better risk-driven PSA screening.

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Progress against lung, colon, and breast cancer has been made, but more is needed to meet the Cancer Moonshot goal.

Prevention and healthy lifestyle

Death rates from all other cancer types combined have declined by 1.7% annually in recent years, the report noted. A healthy lifestyle can prevent many types of cancers, Cancer.net reports, and should be promoted as part of the effort to reduce cancer deaths.

The Cancer Moonshot goal of reducing cancer deaths by 50% by 2047 is ambitious, but achievable. To meet this goal, there must be a focus on addressing disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Specific advances are needed for the six leading causes of cancer deaths, and a healthy lifestyle must be promoted. With continued efforts, the goal of halving cancer deaths by mid-century can be realized.

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