We're making progress, but more work needs to be done in reducing cancer death

By Mohammed Mohiuddin, MD, FRCR, FACR
Director, Geisinger Fox Chase cancer program at The Henry Cancer Center

A report released by the American Cancer Society indicates a drop of more than 3,000 cancer deaths in the United States from 2003 to 2004-the most recent year that mortality information is available for review. There are a number of reasons for this, the most significant annual decline in annual deaths ever reported, including advances in early detection, advanced medical technology, and a variety of new treatments.

While all of this is encouraging news, patients and caregivers alike must remain steadfast in doing all we can to prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. An important step is to be aware of the risk factors for cancer and make the positive changes to lower your risk from those factors that are under your control.

First, avoid tobacco. Smoking alone causes about one-third of all cancer deaths. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, cervix, esophagus and pancreas. Remember that ‘smokeless’ tobacco isn’t safe either. A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health reports that the United States tobacco companies “increased the level of addictive nicotine in their cigarettes by 11 percent from 1998 to 2005.” The report questions whether the tobacco companies have changed their overall efforts to addict smokers since agreeing to the Master Settlement Agreement of 1998 with the State Attorneys General. Given this unsettling news, it’s more important than ever to resist tobacco and urge others to refrain as well.

If you do smoke, make every effort to stop. And please be considerate of non-smokers who are negatively affected by second-hand smoke. Your smoke doesn’t know enough to stay out of the air non-smokers are breathing.

Be sure to protect yourself from the sun. Unprotected exposure to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer. Use appropriate sunscreens and clothing to keep the sun’s rays from harming your skin. More than a million skin cancers in 2003 could have been prevented with common sense in protecting yourself from the sun.

A diet high in fat has been identified as a risk factor in several types of cancers including breast and prostate cancer. Limit consumption of foods high in saturated fat, and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Talk with your healthcare provider and follow his or her recommendations regarding physicals and health screenings. Eating properly, avoiding tobacco, sleeping properly and exercising are actions that lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

We are making progress. The overall number of cancer deaths has been decreasing over the past few years. Let’s make sure we don’t lose this momentum.

Dr. Mohiuddin is a radiation oncologist seeing patients at the Geisinger Fox Chase cancer program at The Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley.

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