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New Efforts
Needed as Cancer to Surpass
Heart Disease
April is National Cancer Control
Month and a good time to consider the options as we face predictions
that by 2010 cancer will be the leading killer in the world.
Experts say it will surpass heart disease and cause more deaths
than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. In the United States,
we can celebrate some long-awaited good news, but even here there
is work to do.
For the first time since the
late 1990s, both incidence rates and deaths rates from cancer
have decreased in the United States. The falling cancer rates
reflect declines in the three most common cancers in men (lung,
colorectal, and prostate) and the two most common in women (breast
and colorectal), as well as several other relatively common types. |
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A long way to go: Not all of the news is good, however,
as incidence of some cancers increased. In men, this included
cancers of the liver, kidney, and esophagus; in women it included
cancers of the thyroid, pancreas, and kidney. Lung cancer trends
stand out with large regional differences among women. Researchers
suggest this relates to differences in state tobacco control
programs affecting smoking rates.
Even where we’ve made progress
in lowering cancer rates, this progress is not spread evenly
through the population. Cancer incidence and death rates are
highest among people with low socioeconomic status. Some underserved
populations have less access to prevention, screening and treatment
activities.
And although we currently see
reduced rates of cancers of the colon, breast and uterus, risk
of these and several other cancers is strongly weight-related.
Experts say the impact of today’s rising obesity rates on
increasing cancer incidence will probably not be seen for several
years.
International news worse:
A major force behind
the expected soaring world cancer cases comes from other countries
as populations increase and age. Cancer rates are especially
predicted to rise in lower- and middle-income countries as people
adopt western lifestyles, including reduced physical activity
and diets higher in fat and sugar with fewer unprocessed plant
foods. Obesity is becoming a problem in countries like India
and China where it has traditionally been uncommon. Experts say
that current tobacco use will be increasing cancer rates in developing
countries for many years.
In low-income countries, much
of today’s cancer is linked to chronic infections. Cervical
cancer, for example, is a major cause of cancer deaths among
women even though it is preventable and treatable. HIV-related
cancers, as well as liver and stomach cancers also take a heavy
toll.
Taking action: A comprehensive new report on policies
and actions to prevent cancer estimates that approximately 20
percent of seven common U.S. cancers are preventable by staying
a healthy weight. Also, Americans can make other lifestyle choices
that reduce cancer risk, such as increasing physical activity,
boosting vegetable and fruit consumption, and limiting alcohol
and red meat consumption. Globally, the report estimates that
one quarter to one third of some of the most common cancers are
preventable through a healthy diet, physical activity and maintaining
a healthy weight. In the United States, about one-third of the
most common cancers could be prevented.
The report from the American
Institute for Cancer Research identifies actions on many levels,
from multi-national and national bodies, to local governments,
businesses, schools and families that have evidence supporting
behavior change. Which of these steps will help remain to be
seen. |
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