Progress in Cancer Control Cancer control refers to the application of existing knowledge regarding approaches designed to actively prevent, cure or manage cancer. These approaches range from prevention through early detection and screening to treatment, encompassing rehabilitation, pain relief and other forms of palliative care.
Cancer surveillance is a key component of cancer control.
The monitoring and analysis of mortality and incidence trends in cancer contribute significantly to the evaluation of cancer control strategies and their planning. Decreasing trends in incidence and mortality indicate potential successes of cancer control strategies. A review of selected trends in incidence and mortality provides some insight into our progress against cancer. Effective implementation of a preventive measure leads first to declining incidence rates, with mortality subsequently declining as a consequence of the declines in incidence rates. Further analyses of incidence and mortality trends according to gender and age group, in conjunction with information on trends in risk factors and interventions, such as screening and treatment, are needed to describe and explain these patterns.