Because of improvements in early detection, Americans are experiencing a decline in their risk of cancer death, according to a study featured in the journal Cancer Research and reported on by HealthNews.  

Those improvements include enhanced cancer treatments and cancer prevention methods.

The study, done by researchers at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shows a decrease in cancer rates in all age groups during the past three decades. But adults ages 35 to 45 have experienced the biggest decline.

“Essentially, the younger you are, the faster your rates are declining,” said lead researcher Eric Kort, MD.  

“We’re also benefiting in profound ways from progress we’re making in early detection and better treatments. Some of these advances benefit younger people first,” Kort added.

The study also indicated that smoking cessation programs and cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, have been crucial in lowering cancer death rates.