Cancer Treatments Helping to Save More Lives

7/12/2010

Americans who are diagnosed with cancer have an increasingly good chance of survival, based on recent data from the American Cancer Society.

According to the organization, the nation's overall death rate from cancer has fallen 21 percent among men and 12 percent among women since the early 1990s. As of 2007, the cancer death rate stood at 178.4 per 100,000 people. In 2006, the rate was 180.7 per 100,000 people.

The organization cited several factors in this trend, including a decline in smoking as well as improved medical procedures for those who are diagnosed. However, cancer remains a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that is expected to kill more than 500,000 Americans this year alone.

For those in the market for a health insurance policy, a history of cancer can result in higher premiums, as can other pre-existing conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Patients may also need to review their existing policies to ensure their coverage needs are sufficiently addressed.

With that in mind, avoiding behaviors like smoking and unhealthy eating can result in substantial financial savings over time as well as benefits like a longer and healthier life.

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