Cancer Rates Decline But Disease Is Still Too Common
April is Cancer Control Month, a good time to highlight the many recent advances that have occurred in the fight against cancer.
Here’s the good news: cancer rates and deaths have declined for the past two decades. There are several reasons for this decline. Cancer screenings, such as mammograms, have become more effective in detecting the disease earlier when survival rates are higher. The treatment of cancer through chemotherapy, radiation and other techniques has also improved. And thanks to increased awareness about the risk factors that cause cancer, more people are eating healthier, exercising more, smoking less and losing weight.
Even with all these advances, cancer is still the second leading cause of death after heart disease. Indeed, one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer.
So what can you and your loved ones do to help prevent cancer? First, during your yearly physical exam, ask your personal physician to conduct a cancer-related checkup of your skin, thyroid, lymph nodes, testicles and ovaries. Also, be sure to discuss what cancer screenings and tests you may need. Here are the screening guidelines for four of the most common types of cancer.
Breast Cancer: Annual mammograms are recommended for all women starting at age 40.
Colon and Rectum Cancer: Starting at age 40, you should have a colonoscopy every 10 years.
Prostate Cancer: For men, beginning at age 50, your physician should conduct a digital rectal exam and a PSA test every year. Testing should start at age 45 if you are at high risk for prostate cancer (African American men and men who have had a father or brother who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age).
Cervical Cancer: Women should have a Pap test every year, beginning at age 21 or within three years after having sexual intercourse. If you’re screening tests are normal for three years, you may have the test every three years after the age of 30.