Cancer Deaths Down / Patient Empowerment Up?

As reported in today's press, cancer deaths are down - most definitely a good thing.

According to the NY Times, it's because "Years of nagging and pleading by health officials are finally beginning to pay off."

OK -- I'll buy that, in part. However, I prefer to look at it a bit differently.

Perhaps it's because they've done a better job of informing patients about the risks and benefits of the screening tests available? Perhaps it's because patients have done a better job of listening and following through? Perhaps it's because patients and doctors have collaborated more successfully in assigning the best treatment to any particular cancer? Perhaps it's because of compliance on the part of patients?

"Health officials" would do well to begin recognizing the patient's role in his/her own information gathering, decision-making, and compliance.

After all, if patients didn't exist, then cancer wouldn't exist either.... right?