U.S. cancer deaths dropped by 33 percent over the past three decades, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer mortality rates peaked in 1991.

Jeffrey Peterson, PhD, a pioneering researcher in chemical biology and cancer, died of rectal cancer Jan. 2 at age 53, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Here are 70 oncology leaders who started new roles in 2022:

Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found an increase in the number of California women 65 and older who are diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer and dying from the disease.

Here are five oncologists starting new roles as of Dec. 7:

Many cancer tumors defend themselves using the body's regulatory T-cells, making treatment difficult. But a new implant created by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles is designed to stop tumors from hijacking T-cells and allow treatment to reach the tumor.

Here are the top 10 oncology stories published by Becker's in December, starting with the most popular:

Here are six recent cancer center openings, ground breakings and expansions:

A recent study found cancer-fighting T-cells may switch sides and help cancer tumors once they become exhausted.

U.K. researchers discovered a metabolite that could allow physicians to use urine tests to detect liver cancer, the Independent reported Dec. 24.

Here are seven hospitals and health systems hiring oncologists:

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend cervical cancer screenings for women older than 65 with average risk, citing harms outweigh the benefits, but many older women continue to get pap tests anyway, The New York Times reported Dec. 18.

A recent study found race itself may be an underlying difference in death rates between Black and white patients with head and neck cancers.

Here are the most-read 10 oncology stories published by Becker's in 2022, listed in order from most to least popular:

Monica Bertagnolli, MD, became the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute and the first woman to have the job in October. In November, she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, The Washington Post reported Dec. 14.

Most diagnosed cancers come from symptoms or scans for other medical issues, and only 14.1 percent are found through cancer screenings, CNN reported Dec. 14.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health tapped Ruben Mesa, MD, for director of the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center in Winston-Salem and the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, Winston-Salem Journal reported Dec. 13.

Here are 10 hospitals and health systems hiring oncology leaders:

Here are 23 oncology firsts in 2022:

Here are six recent cancer center openings and expansions: