What is the biggest reason for the 31% decline in cancer mortality in US? 

What is the biggest reason for the 31% decline in cancer mortality in US?  Every January, the American Cancer Society (ACS) releases a major report: “Annual Report on Cancer Statistics.”

Why is it heavy? Perhaps you can think that, as one of the most developed countries in medical care, their statistics have many references, and they will also make predictions about cancer in the new year.

On January 12, “CA” magazine officially released the 2021 cancer statistics report. The report showed that the cancer mortality and incidence rates in the United States have dropped again! The mortality rate dropped by 31%, and the survival time was extended again.

The report shows that from 1991 to 2018, the cancer mortality rate in the United States dropped by 31%. This figure set a new record for the decline in cancer mortality in the United States and became the largest decline in cancer mortality in the history of the United States. This means that 3.2 million people may escape the clutches of death. This historic progress is mainly due to the reduction in the number of smokers and the improvement in early detection and treatment.

At the same time, from 2010 to 2016, the 5-year relative survival rate of all cancers diagnosed in the United States was 67% overall, of which the survival rate for prostate cancer was as high as 98%, and the survival rate for lung cancer was only 19%.

From the perspective of cancer mortality trend, the mortality rate of cancer in the 20th century basically showed an upward trend, mainly because the tobacco epidemic led to a rapid increase in the number of male lung cancer deaths. However, correspondingly, with the decrease in the number of smokers and the improvement in early detection and treatment, the cancer mortality rate began to show a continuous downward trend starting from its peak in 1991.

Tobacco control! A huge victory against cancer

From the report, we can clearly see the direct relationship between the number of smokers and the number of cancer deaths. The overall decline in cancer deaths for 27 consecutive years is mainly related to the decline in deaths from lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Among them, lung cancer deaths have fallen the most.

Beginning in the 1960s, the United States began a tobacco control campaign, and it quickly took effect. In the 40 years of the tobacco control campaign, the number of smokers in the United States has continued to decline. Because public places are completely banned, and there are even strict legal restrictions on the time and place of smoking, once “stepping on the boundary”, you may face high fines, and the circumstances may be serious. jail.

Therefore, since 1990, the adult smoking rate in the United States has dropped from 42.4% to 16.8%, and the lung cancer mortality rate for men and women has been reduced by 45% and 19%, respectively.

Everyone knows the slogan “smoking is harmful to health”, but most people don’t really realize the harm. It is no exaggeration to say that smoking is equivalent to chronic suicide, and the most effective way to prevent cancer is to control smoking. Data show that 30% of all cancer deaths are related to smoking.

Long-term active or passive smoking can cause various respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases, as well as damage the brain, stomach, lungs, mouth, intestines, liver, bones and other organs and tissues. Most importantly, smoking is the clearest and most important risk factor for lung cancer. The carcinogens in cigarettes will continue to stimulate the lungs, eventually leading to cell mutations and lung cancer.

In addition to smoking control, cancer prevention also needs to do this

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, but in recent years, many non-smokers have been targeted by lung cancer. The occurrence of cancer is caused by many factors. In addition to smoking, air pollution, bad diet and habits, biological factors, emotions, etc. are all related to cancer.

1. Sun protection, avoid direct sunlight at noon, wear a sun hat, and sunscreen when going out. Ultraviolet radiation can cause great damage to the skin and increase the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

2. Quit drinking, men should not drink more than 28g per day, women should not exceed 14g. The effects of drinking on the body are multifaceted. Seriously, it can induce liver cancer, oral cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and many other cancers.

3. Weight loss, healthy eating, regular work and rest, avoiding sedentary sitting, and proper exercise will help maintain normal weight and avoid overweight and obesity. Studies have shown that obesity is closely related to many diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

4. Prevent bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. At present, a total of 11 pathogens have been identified as carcinogenic by authoritative organizations, and the common ones are Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus, HPV virus, etc.

5. Stay away from ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is carcinogenic, especially the ionizing radiation produced by medical equipment. During the hospital visit, you should actively cooperate with doctors to protect yourself. If it is not necessary, try not to do CT and other radiation-prone inspections. .

The road to cancer prevention is a long way to go. Cancer is like Xiaoqiang who cannot be killed. For us, we must take anti-cancer measures, develop good living habits, healthy diet, regular work and rest, proper exercise, and quit smoking and limit alcohol. “Encouragement” to resist the invasion of cancer.

(source:internet, reference only)

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