Global cancer death rates declining

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Global cancer mortality rates are declining steadily thanks to awareness campaigns and improvements in therapy, the American Cancer Society said in its annual report released on Thursday.
    Over the past decade, cancer mortality rates have fallen by 1.8% annually for men, and 1.4% annually for women, the association said. Cancer death rates overall have fallen 23% since 1991.
    However, cancer diagnoses have risen in industrialised countries over the last 20 years.
    "Oncology is one of the challenges of the future. Winning it is possible through prevention, lifestyles and new drugs," the president of Italian pharmaceuticals agency Aifa Mario Melazzini said.
    The Italian association of dietetics and nutrition said many cancers can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and weight and by doing regular physical exercise.