What are the incidence and mortality rates of cancers in Delaware?

Challenge

Cancer affects millions of Americans yearly and remains a significant public health issue in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is a leading cause of death in the U.S. with the incidence continuing to grow among the U.S. population. The most commonly diagnosed cancers include breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Impacts from cancer include premature death, lower quality of life, comorbid disorders, economic burden, and stress (financial, emotional, social, and mental) on the patient, family, and friends.

Solution

In addressing the cancer burden, surveillance is essential. Cancer surveillance refers to the ongoing monitoring of cancer in populations and individuals, primarily for early detection, treatment, and management. Surveillance is necessary to assess burden and to implement cancer control and outreach.

Surveillance in a central cancer registry also allows research of cancer trends and treatment on a population level.

Results

Registry data informs policymakers, funding, cancer control efforts, researchers, outreach programs, providers, and the public.