In spite of advancing technology bringing in effective treatment and preventions for Cancer, it is still at the peak in causing maximum number of deaths globally. This was reported in cancer-themed edition of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, by American Cancer Society Epidemiologist Susan Gapstur, who opined her views about combating disease.

The reasons for this continuation, despite equipments for treating the deadly disease, were mentioned as the life longevity of developed country residents, the rise in rate of obesity and the decrease in the number of smokers in industrialized countries, counterbalanced by an increase in other parts of the world. Therefore, Gapstur states that the advancements in treating cancer are being surpassed by rising harmful trends invading the lifestyles.

Addressing the reporters, Gapstur said, "Nearly 40 per cent of the reduction in the overall cancer death rate in men between 1990 and 2006 was related to the decline in tobacco use”.

Some of the progressions attained by improved cancer treatments are in reducing the death rates in cervical cancer and childhood cancers, and the healing benefits provided by mammography and colon cancer screening.

But Gapstur warned that obesity has the potential of posing serious threat for maintaining the pace in war against cancer.