Lifestyle Factors Blamed for Majority of Cancer

Health Issues Update Nov-Sept 2003

WASHINGTON — Two-thirds of cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented through lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, cancer screening and especially tobacco use, according to American Cancer Society CEO John Seffrin. Speaking at the National Press Club October 16, Seffrin said these preventive measures, along with better delivery of known treatments, are necessary for controlling cancer.

“If we find a way to effectively deliver on everything we know regarding cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, we can save more than 350,000 lives a year today,” he said.

Seffrin said that strict Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco and support for the World Health Organization’s international tobacco control treaty are some of the “important initiatives to save lives” that the American Cancer Society supports.

“Ultimately, cancer’s conquest is as much a public policy issue as it is a scientific and medical challenge,” he said.

Seffrin added that although cancer control programs have been shown to save lives and lessen the burdens of the disease, few states have or fully fund these programs.

Source: Health Behavior News Service, Center for the Advancement of Health, www.cfah.org.