Researchers forecast 45 percent surge in cancer cases by 2030.

Bloomberg News (4/30, Chase) reports, "Cancer cases may surge 45 percent by 2030, amid an aging and racially diverse population that will require better access to healthcare," according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study shows that the increase will be "due mostly to the aging of the population, because cancer occurs more commonly in older people." But, "the expected increase in cancer may be particularly hard for uninsured people, who have lower survival rates from malignancies, compared with the insured," the researchers noted. Commenting on the findings, Richard Schilsky, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), stated that "these are eye-popping statistics." 
  HealthDay (4/29, Gardner) reported that Schilsky noted the "profound divide between those with access to" improved treatment and screening methods, and "those without access," stating that "people lacking health insurance are less likely to survive cancer." For the study, "announced Wednesday at a news conference sponsored by" ASCO, researchers analyzed "data from a national health database to project rates of future cancer diagnoses." They found that "between 2010 and 2030, total incidence of all cancers will increase...from 1.6 million to 2.3 million, though the total population will increase by only 19 percent." Among older Americans, "cancer incidence is expected to increase 67 percent...vs. 11 percent in the younger age group and to double among minorities, compared with a 31 percent increase among whites." ASCO also released a policy statement vowing "to work towards eliminating cancer disparties through increased awareness [and] better access to care," among other efforts. Reuters (4/30, Steenhuysen) also covers the story.