title: Cancer occurrence.
abstract: In this chapter, we describe the variability of cancer occurrence by using measures of incidence, mortality, prevalence, and survival, according to demographic characteristics such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity, as well as geographic location and time period. We also discuss the variability of cancer occurrence in relation to changes in risk factors, screening rates, and improved treatments. The variation according to risk factors provides strong evidence that much of cancer is caused by environmental factors and is potentially avoidable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmedin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jemal
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Center
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thun
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class