Cancer mortality in Maryland: when being a leader is not best

Maryland has the second highest statewide cancer mortality rate in the nation. This ranking is primarily due to high death rates for the most prevalent cancers: lung, breast, colon, and prostate. Based on the recent literature and the October 1991 preventive medicine grand rounds at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, this paper summarizes several current viewpoints on cancer mortality in Maryland and the progress that has been made by recently instituted state and community initiatives.