There are a few possible explanations for this, although three obvious ones jump to mind: 1) There is more cancer today or the cancers are more lethal. 2) We

There are a few possible explanations for this, although three obvious ones jump to mind: 1) There is more cancer today or the cancers are more lethal. 2) We are better at diagnosing cancer today. 3) We've eliminated (or dramatically reduced) a lot of the things that aren't cancer that can kill you. My money is that it's mostly 2+3, and that those have brought about a bit of 1.