A new report shows a decline in the cancer death rate Californians.
The California numbers reflect an overall downward trend across the nation.
In the last 15 years, about 650,000 deaths have been avoided or delayed.
The report, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is expected to be published in July. It says between 1988 and 2005 cancer death rates dropped 17 percent in Caliofrnia with a much larger decrease in lung cancer than other parts of the U.S..
"I think the combination of prevention technology as well as early detection is all paying off,'' said Dr. Ravi Patel with the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center.
''Besides picking it up earlier different kinds of imaging modalities digital scans all combined together give us a much better lead time in treating the cancer and achieving an excellent cure."
The report says the overall cancer death rate in men decreased by 19.2 percent driven largely by lung, prostate and colorectal cancers the number is slightly lower during that same time period 11.4 percent between 1991-2005 led by decreases in breast and colorectal cancer.
"Typically it takes about ten to 15 years to see a reduction in new cancers through the benefits of screening and so we think that what is happening is that the new types of techniques of looking for cancer are finally showing some benefits in reducing the incidences of cancer," said Dr. Dean Davis with the Florence Wheeler Cancer Center.
The breast cancer diagnosis rate for women has decreased by 8 percent but the death rate in California decreased by 29 percent.
Similarly the mortality rate for prostate cancer has declined by 31 percent statewide.
According to the latest estimates 140,000 cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed this year.
In Kern County, there should be ten fewer cancer deaths and nearly 150 more people will be diagnosed.
Even though the population has grown in Kern County the number of men and women dying from cancer has been on a steady decline.
