Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New York State Cancer Deaths Down, Diagnoses Up
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 18, 2011
Modified Jul 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 18, 2011
Modified Jul 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When it comes to fighting cancer, it seems the Empire State is a good place to be. The AP got ahold of a draft of the State Health Department's 2011-16 cancer report and the results are interesting: Nearly 3,000 fewer New Yorkers died of the disease last year compared to a decade ago but at the same time the number of cancer diagnoses in the state is on the rise.
According to the report last year 34,540 people died of cancer in New York, down seven percent, but the number of diagnoses rose seven percent to 103,340. On the good news side, "Data show that 65 percent of all individuals diagnosed with cancer in the years from 2004-2008 survived." Further, "Five- and 10-year survival rates for all children younger than age 15 diagnosed with cancer improved from 61 percent in the late '70s to 88.5 percent by 2002."
And New York's cancer stats are a good deal better than the nation's, where there has been a 14 percent rise in diagnoses and a seven percent rise in deaths at the same time. The New York Health Department attributes our relatively good position to early and better detection through screenings along with state-wide pushes to reduce smoking, indoor tanning and obesity.
So. More cancer, less dead people! Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to go back to worrying about how everything will give you cancer.
Tagged
cancer
new york state health department
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council hearing to put AI risks in the spotlight
Employees from four tech companies, as well as whistleblowers, are scheduled to speak to the City Council on the dangers of AI.
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:00 a.m. ET
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
By
Michael Sol Warren
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .