February is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month
February is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month
How Aware are You Really?
Photo / africanamericancenterforculturaldevelopment.org/olean
The good news about cancer is that the risk of dying from cancer in the United States has decreased over the past 28 years, according to annual statistics reported by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The cancer death rate for men and women combined fell 32% from its peak in 1991 to 2019, the most recent year for which data is available. Some of this drop appears to be related to an increase in the percentage of people with lung cancer who are living longer after diagnosis (like President Jimmy Carter whose tumors shrank in 2016 while in a trial for a drug now available on the market) partly because more people are being diagnosed at an early stage of the disease.
However, cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease. A total of 1.9 million new cancer cases and 609,360 deaths from cancer were expected to occur in the U.S. in 2022 (final numbers unavailable), which is about 1,670 deaths a day. Think about that number -1,670 EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Along with the lightness and sweetness of Valentine’s Day and the treats we shower on those we love, February still has a heavy lift as we are reminded every year at this time to live healthier lives and to be diligent with self-care, quickly responding to any signs of early detection. Sadly, dawdling or denial will not make it go away. Fact: In 2020 cancer caused nearly 10 million deaths worldwide. Those aren’t just numbers - they are moms, dads, siblings, grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbors… all loved ones, some of whom each of us could name and remember. Look around you. Everywhere you look, you will also find people who have defeated cancer or are fighting it right now.
Throughout the history of mankind, cancer has been in existence. From nationaltoday.com we learn that although not much was known about the human body, the earliest evidence of cancer was found in fossilized bone tumors in mummies. Tumors on the breast were recorded “via papyri that can be traced back to ancient Egypt in 1500 B.C.” Perhaps these ancients did not know how to avoid cancer. Today, we are aware.
Here is one of the biggest: avoid tobacco. Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths. In the U.S. smoking is linked to about 80%-90% of cancer deaths. The CDC tells us that people who smoke are 15-30% more likely to get or die from lung cancer. Did you know that tobacco can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body? Woefully, smoke from other people’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars (secondhand smoke) also causes lung cancer, COPD and lung diseases.
When a person breathes in secondhand smoke, it is like he or she is smoking. Next time you light up around babies, kids, or compromised elderly, think twice and go outdoors. Better still, do the good work of stopping for yourself and those around you.
As for other causes, here’s a startling fact according to the Skin Cancer Foundation: one indoor tanning session increases your risk of developing melanoma before age 35 by 75%. According to a study conducted by the American Cancer Society, at least 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the U.S., which translates to about 750,000 cases in 2020, are potentially avoidable. This includes the 19% of all cancers that are caused by smoking and the 18% caused by a combination of excess body weight, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. Please, also keep in mind that folks doing all the right things all their lives can inconceivably get cancer despite their best efforts to do the best for their bodies. Please, don’t ever judge.
Amid the hustle and bustle, National Cancer Prevention Month reminds us that health is wealth. We do need to take our health seriously to stay alive. Please, do what it takes to stay healthy and cancer-free. For reliable cancer information go to https://sarahcannon.com/blog/entry/seven-sites-for-reliable-cancer-information.