News — Following estimates in the 55th edition of Cancer Facts & Figures, the Bay Area has seen a decrease in the number of new cancers diagnosed and the number of deaths from cancer. The downward trend began around 1999, falling from 27,503 new cancer cases to 26,716 in 2002. The number of deaths also fell from 10,318 in 1999 to 10,227 in 2002.
The Bay Area cancer statistics are compiled by scientists at the Northern California Cancer Center, and track Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties from 1988 to 2002 through a state and federal-funded cancer registry.
"As a regional organization, it's important that we focus on statistics for the Greater Bay Area. We live in one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the U.S., and it's critical that factors such as lifestyle, cultural practices and environment are considered as influences in calculating cancer rates," says NCCC CEO Don Nielsen, Ph.D.
In the nine counties, the five most common cancers were breast, prostate, lung, colorectal and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These accounted for 59% of cases reported during these 15 years. Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, representing about 26% of all cancer deaths in the Greater Bay Area.
"The decrease in cancer deaths can be attributed in large part to declines in tobacco-related cancers in males, increased use of screening to detect some cancers earlier, and improved cancer treatments," notes Dr. Dee West, Ph.D, NCCC's Chief Scientific Officer. California's anti-smoking laws enacted in 1998 also likely contribute to these declines, demonstrating the state's reduction in cancer diagnoses and deaths earlier than the national trend.
"Through our research and outreach efforts, NCCC provides Bay Area residents with educational programs and resources they need to help them make informed decisions about cancer prevention, detection, treatment and quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer. Tools like these will contribute to the decline in the number of people who are diagnosed with and die from cancer," added Nielsen.
For more information about NCCC's Cancer Registry, Research and Education Programs, visit or to register for an event, call 1-888-315-5988.
About Northern California Cancer CenterThe Northern California Cancer Center () is an established, nationally recognized leader dedicated to understanding the causes, prevention and detection of cancer and to improve the quality of life for individuals living with cancer. NCCC has been working with scientists, educators, patients, clinicians, community leaders, and other individuals from many organizations and community groups successfully since 1974, and is an active participant in Stanford University's Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCCC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
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