The Impact of Cancer
It is estimated that over 1.2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer each year by the year 2001. While this is an alarming number, the incidence rate actually fell almost 1 percent from 1990 to 1995, the first time such a decrease has occurred in recent years. (1)

Graph based on data from the National Cancer Institute

Medical care for those with cancer will top $300 billion, or over 20 percent of all healthcare expenditures. (2) While this trend continues, more Americans are living with cancer than ever before. However, over 1,500 persons per day continue to die in the U.S. from cancer. Treatment of cancer has changed little in recent years. While specific drugs or regimens have changed, the mainstay for cancer treatment continues to be surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Cancer centers are placing more emphasis on the entire continuum of care, as shown in The Cancer Care Continuum.

Services
• Counseling	• Networking	• Information Services
• Education	• Research	- Lay
- Lay	- Treaments	- Profdessional
- Professional	- Cancer Control	• Affiliations
• Data	• Accommodations	• Transportation
• Support		• Marketing

Exhibit 1. The Cancer Care Continuum

This continuum involves prevention activities, screening, treatment, and aftercare. This emphasis is being driven by the public, which is demanding prevention, early detection activities, and care after treatment.

Abstract

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