BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- There is good news in the fight against cancer -- a report from the American Cancer Society finds that death rates are down by 19 percent in men and 11 percent in women.

More Americans are participating in screening tests such as mammography and colonoscopy, meaning patients increasingly have their cancers detected early when they are more curable.

Doctors also have better tools to fight cancer including targeted radiation and a wider range of chemotherapy drugs.

The drop in smoking has cut death rates as well. All told, the U.S. prevented 650,000 cancer deaths between 1990 and 2005.

But despite these gains, more than a half million Americans will die of cancer this year. Lung cancer remains the top killer for both men and women, and smoking is the leading cause, accounting for 85 percent of cases. Colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers round out the top four cancer killers.

Experts said people can reduce their risk of death from these cancers through exercise and a healthy diet, and receiving regular cancer screenings.