60,000 Cancer Deaths and 100,000 New Cases Avoidable Annually

American Cancer Society
Monday, 30 June 2003

Healthier Lifestyles and Recommended Early-Detection Tests Can Dramatically Reduce Cancer Rates

Smoking, poor diets, obesity, sedentary lifestyles and failure to get early cancer detection tests all contribute to the excess burden of cancer. A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies, jointly presented with the American Cancer Society and other leading health groups, says an estimated 60,000 deaths and 100,000 new cases of cancer could be prevented each year by 2015 if more Americans used the cancer prevention and early detection knowledge and recommendations currently available.

The report, "Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection," will be highlighted during an American Cancer Society-IOM symposium on Monday, June 30, 2003 in Washington, D.C. The symposium features speakers including Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, and health experts from the federal, academic and private sectors.

The IOM report outlines 12 recommended steps to increase the rates and reach of cancer prevention and early detection of cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal. The report also suggests that to save the most lives from cancer, health care providers, health plans, insurers, employers, policy makers and researchers should concentrate their resources on helping people stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight and diet, exercise regularly, and keep alcohol consumption at low to moderate levels.

Wide-reaching nationwide efforts toward these goals are already underway by the American Cancer Society through community outreach and awareness programs, information delivery, government advocacy, and research funding. For example, the Society produces peer-reviewed, science-based screening and early detection guidelines for a variety of cancers including the most common sites: lung, breast, prostate and colorectal. In tobacco cessation, the Society has aggressively advocated for increased tobacco taxes, clean indoor air ordinances, and FDA regulation of tobacco, while providing nationwide smoking cessation resources and counseling services.

In addition, the American Cancer Society takes a leading role in nutrition and physical activity, publishing guidelines emphasizing healthy diets and recommended activity levels for youth and adults as well as suggestions for communities to play a role in improving the health of their residents. Also, recent research from Society epidemiologists, published in the April 24, 2003 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, substantiates the link between obesity and increased risk of as many as 14 types of cancer.

Great strides have been made in many areas of cancer risk reduction, but the American Cancer Society supports the recommendations in this report to continue efforts to advance behaviors that are not taking place and reach to people which may not be receiving or heeding the message to stop smoking, eat healthy, engage in physical activity and get recommended cancer early detection tests.

"Many of the behaviors placing people at increased risk for cancer are well recognized, and calls for change are not new," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "What is new, however, is the growing body of evidence confirming the effectiveness of interventions helping people improve their health-related behaviors."

Among the 12 recommendations made in the report are the following:

  • Federal and state legislatures should enact and provide funding for enforcement of laws that reduce and eliminate health consequences of tobacco use and exposure

  • A national strategy should be developed and applied to address the epidemic of obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity in America

  • Initiatives should support reduced disparities in the cancer burden in populations including those of higher cancer risk and the medically underserved

  • Public and private organizations should work to improve the public’s understanding of cancer prevention and early detection, promoting healthy lifestyles and participation in recommended cancer screening tests

  • Sponsors of research should expand support of applied behavioral research and how best to disseminate evidence-based prevention interventions.

    • "The specific and wide-ranging recommendations in the IOM report are consistent with American Cancer Society recommendations and guidelines for the reduction of cancer incidence and mortality," said Harmon J. Eyre, MD, national chief medical officer for the Society. "The report also further demonstrates the need for health organizations to work collaboratively in the fight against cancer."

    The report can be viewed online by visiting the National Academies Press Web site at www.nap.edu.

    For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org

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