In the U.S. and other developed countries, cancer is presently responsible for about 25% of all deaths. "CACancerJClin2005-Jemal" On a yearly basis, 0.5% of the population is diagnosed with cancer. The statistics below are for adults in the United States, and will vary substantially in other countries:
Cancer can also occur in young children and adolescents, but it is rare. Some studies have concluded that pediatric cancers, especially leukemia, are on an upward trend. "Haematologica2005-Dalmasso""IntJCancer2005-Agha"
Clinical trials, also called research studies, test new treatments in people with cancer. The goal of this research is to find better ways to treat cancer and help cancer patients. Clinical trials test many types of treatment such as new drugs, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, new combinations of treatments, or new methods such as gene therapy.
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