The total number of deaths from cancer fell in the United States for the first time since 1930, when nationwide statistics were first compiled, says a new report by the American Cancer Society. The decline occurred in 2003, when 556 902 people died from cancer; the number who died in 2002 was 557 271.

John Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, said, “For years we've proudly pointed to dropping cancer death rates, even as a growing and aging population meant more actual …