More people in Door and Kewaunee Counties are following a nationwide trend and surviving cancer. According to the medical journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, cancer deaths have dropped 27 percent since 1991. The study shows that cancer diagnoses have stabilized in women and decreased in men. The study found that incidences of cancer among older people have increased. However, Dr. Mitch Winkler, an oncologist with Door County Cancer Center, says survival rates have improved.
Dr. Winkler says decreased use of tobacco products, better nutrition and exercise have also helped decrease cancer deaths. Winkler, however, says the study did show some disturbing trends.
The study also found that while the rates of childhood cancer, especially leukemia, have been rising childhood cancer death rates have been declining.
