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| Cancer Facts 2002 |
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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
- One of every four deaths is attributed to cancer.
- In 2002, more than 1.2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed.
- An estimated 555,500 will die from cancer this year, about 1,500 people a day.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women and accounts for nearly 30 percent of all cancer deaths total.
Cancer is the nation’s number one health concern.
- One in two men and one in three women are at risk of getting cancer in their lifetime.
- Nearly 80% of all cancers are diagnosed at age 55 and older.
- Since 1990, about 16 million new cancer cases have been diagnosed.
Prevention and early detection can reduce risk and improve chances for survival.
- About one-third of cancer deaths in 2002 will be related to nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, and other lifestyle factors.
- The five-year survival rate for cancers that can be detected by screening—breast, colon, rectum, cervix, prostate, testis, oral cavity and skin—is about 82%.
- The rate could be increased to 95% if all Americans were regularly screened for these cancers.
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society.
- Tobacco use is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States.
- Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancers and is also associated with cancers of the mouth,pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney, and bladder.
- Smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 8.9 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive in 1997.
- Some are considered cured while others still have cancer and may still be undergoing treatment.
- The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined is 62%.
The National Institutes of Health estimates overall costs for cancer in 2001 were $156.7 billion.
- $56.4 billion in direct medical costs
- $15.6 billion for lost productivity due to illness
- $84.7 billion for lost productivity due to premature death
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Cancer isn’t just a medical issue. It is also a psychological, social, economic and therefore political issue as well. |
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