A new study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians by the American Cancer Society estimates the rate of people dying from cancer has been steadily dropping for the last 25 years in the United States. The data was collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, and represents the years 1991–2016.

The report says the cancer death rate has dropped steadily by a total of 27 percent, or about “2,629,200 fewer cancer deaths than would have been expected if death rates had remained at their peak.” While the death rate has decreased, there is a noticeable gap in cancer mortality rates between different races and socioeconomic classes. Mortality rates were higher in poorer counties for several types of cancers. The study suggests that the dissemination of cancer prevention information and early detection and treatments in these groups could further decrease the mortality rate in the United States.