Current trends: deaths from oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer - United States, 1987

Article Abstract:

It is believed that many of the 9,700 deaths from oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers that occurred in the United States in 1987 were preventable. The personal risk behaviors believed to cause these cancers include tobacco use (both smoked and smokeless) and heavy alcohol consumption. The combined effect of alcohol and tobacco use seems to substantially increase the cancer risk, so a significant reduction in either behavior could dramatically decrease the risk. The survival rate for patients with these cancers is one of the lowest among the major cancers, and it has not improved over the last 16 years. The survival rate for blacks has actually decreased during this period. The 1987 data on oral and pharyngeal cancers (collected from the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics) revealed that 3.6 persons per 100,000 population died from these diseases, and that the incidence is 2.8 times higher for males than females and 1.7 times higher for blacks than for whites. The mortality patterns differed for blacks and whites, with death rates steadily increasing with age and peaking between ages 55 to 64 years for blacks, and at 75 years and older for whites. Mortality also varied by area, with the District of Columbia having the highest rate at 6.3 deaths per 100,000 population, and South Dakota and Utah the lowest with 1.4 deaths per 100,000 population. With tobacco use among women, adolescents, and children increasing, it is expected that the death rates for these cancers will also increase over the next few decades. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Mouth cancer, Throat cancer, Pharyngeal cancer

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Source of firearms used by students in school-associated violent deaths -- United States, 1992-1999

Article Abstract:

Over half of the guns used in school violence that results in one or more deaths come from the perpetrator's or victim's home or from the home of a friend or relative. This was the conclusion of a study of 123 students who used a gun to commit homicide or suicide at a school. All parents who own guns should learn how to store them safely where their children cannot access them.

Small Arms Manufacturing, Small Arms, Students, Firearms, School violence, Death of

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