Cancer rates for lung, prostate and colon cancer has dropped significantly for men in the United States, according to the latest Cancer Facts & Figures report from the American Cancer Society.

Colon, lung and prostate cancer are the most common forms of cancer among American men. In 2005, 20 out of 100,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, down from its highest point in 1985 with 40 males diagnosed per 100,000. The report estimates there will be more than 24,000 new prostate cancer cases in 2012, along with 28,170 estimated deaths.

The lower number of cases is attributed to newly developed medications made available, along with various surgeries and radiation treatments that weren’t available until recent decades.

Out of 100,000 males in the U.S., about 60 were diagnosed with Lung cancer in 2005, which is a drop from 80 individuals in 1975. This is chiefly related to increased awareness and having more preventative lung cancer treatments available. Overall, the report showed 116,470 new lung cancer cases in 2012 and 87,750 estimated deaths.

Colon/rectal cancer had the third largest estimated amount of new cases for 2012, with more than 73,000, which equates to 9 percent of all American men. The ACS estimates there will be 26,470 colon cancer deaths this year.

Between the years of 1930 and 2008, colon cancer diagnosis were at it’s highest point, with about 40 men being diagnosed out of 100,000 in the 1950s. A slight decline of new cases was seen in 1960, with nearly 30 males being diagnosed per 100,000. This number maintained steadily until the 1990s, and reached its lowest point of new cases in 2005 with 20 men being diagnosed with this common form of cancer.

Leading New Cancer Cases and Deaths – 2012 Estimates For Males

Prostate – 241,740 (29%)

Lung & bronchus – 116,470 (14%)

Colon & rectum – 73,420 (9%)

Urinary bladder – 55,600 (7%)

Melanoma of the skin – 44,250 (5%)

Kidney & renal pelvis – 40,250 (5%)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – 38,160 (4%)

Oral cavity & pharynx – 28,540 (3%)

Leukemia – 26,830 (3%)

Pancreas – 22,090 (3%)

All sites – 848,170 (100%)

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