(CNN) — New research is bringing some good news about cancer.
The rate of people dying from cancer in the united states seems to have dropped steadily for years, a new study says. However, disparities remain between the rich and the poor.
According to a study by the American Cancer Society, deaths from cancer have dropped steadily for 25 straight years.
The study shows the nationwide death rate from cancer fell 27 percent between 1991 and 2016.
The decline is said to be due to several factors — not the least of which is a drastic decline in smoking.
Better detection and “revolutionary advances” in treatment are also playing a large role in the decline.
The study’s authors say the decrease in cancer deaths was a welcome surprise following its steady increase during the twentieth century.
While the research showed that the disparity in death rates between black and white cancer patients was shrinking, it actually widened between poor patients and the wealthy.
The decline in the United States is in contrast to global trend, according to the World Health Organization.
According to a report released in September, cancer cases appear to be increasing worldwide — with 9.8 million cancer deaths 2018 alone.
