Cancer Health Center

Cancer Survival Rates Vary by Country

Cancer Survival Study: Second Opinion

"This is a very good way of presenting data worldwide, using the same method of analysis," says Ahmedin Jemal, PhD, strategic director for cancer occurrence for the American Cancer Society, who reviewed the study for WebMD.

The state-by-state differences in cancer survival rates do not surprise him, he says. "Previous studies have shown differences in treatment for breast cancer, for example, across states." Differences in screening have also been detected, he says, with the percentage of women getting regular mammograms, found to vary widely from state to state.

Coleman and Jemal hope the study results will motivate public health policy makers. "What is required here on a policy level is understanding why those differences occur and remedying those differences so the entire population can benefit from the improvement," Coleman says.

Within the U.S., Jemal says, he is hopeful the report will motivate cancer control program organizers at the state level. Policymakers in a state with lower cancer survival rates could consult with neighboring state policymakers with higher survival rates and adopt some of their programs, he says.

The study is published early online and in the August edition of The Lancet Oncology. Funding was provided by the CDC, the Department of Health in London, and Cancer Research UK in London.