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1997/03/22 -Air pollution. Toxic chemicals. Electromagnetic radiation. Does everything cause cancer? It is
sometimes easier for us to blame external factors like these as the
reasons for most cancer. However, new science released here today by the
American Cancer Society at the meeting of the American Association for Health
Educators (AAHE) makes it clear that if you want the greatest control over
your own likelihood of developing cancer, look to a few of your own
behaviors.
Two factors, and perhaps a third, are directly responsible for
about half
of all cancer deaths in this country, said John R. Seffrin, PhD,
CEO of the American Cancer Society and AAHE Scholar -- and we have direct
personal control over all of them:
- Whether or not you smoke -- Tobacco is the cause of about 30
percent of all cancer deaths, and 19 percent of deaths from ALL
conditions.
- What you eat and drink -- As much as 35 percent of all
cancer deaths
are related to our diets. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables
reduce cancer risk.
- The degree to which you exercise and control your weight --
New
American Cancer Society data show the probability of death from
cancer and
other causes also increases significantly depending on the
degree of obesity and the level of physical activity.
Dr. Seffrin, during his address to the AAHE membership, released
a
first-ever analysis derived from the American Cancer Society's
Cancer
Prevention Study II (CPSII), the largest study of cancer
mortality ever undertaken which, since 1982, has been following almost 1.2
million
American survey subjects until death. Information about medical
history,
diet habits, environment and other health determinants were
recorded for
each subject as they enrolled, and are related to the causes of
death and the age at which the subject dies.
The data released by Dr. Seffrin was derived from the records of
more than
500,000 of these study subjects. All were judged to be healthy
at the time
of their enrollment.
Simply stated, the study data show that people who are smokers
and never
exercise and who eat diets low in fruits and vegetables, are
about four
times more likely to die prematurely than individuals who eat a
healthy diet, exercise and don't smoke.
Premature death from cancer alone is about three times more
likely in those
with these unhealthy behaviors.
The death rates (from cancer, cardiovascular disease and all
causes) of
this large study group were related to the subjects' smoking
status,
exercise level, vegetable and fruit intake, and Body Mass Index,
which is a
measure of body weight or obesity. From this the American
Cancer Society
was able to determine probabilities of premature death by each
lifestyle
factor, and then for the most important ones combined. All
data were also
adjusted for age, race and education. Avoiding smoking and
regular
physical activity are the two most productive behaviors for
lowering the
risk of death from all causes in mid-life. In terms of reducing
cancer
risk specifically, the study shows that avoiding smoking and a
diet high in fruits and vegetables are the strongest predictors.
"These findings dramatically illustrate the importance of public
health
education," Dr. Seffrin said. "With rather modest and
inexpensive
life-style changes, literally thousands of premature deaths
during the
prime of life could be avoided nationwide. It is clear that
these few
lifestyle changes can add life to your years and years to your
life."
Joann Schellenbach
National Director Media Relations
American Cancer Society
212-382-2169
jschelle@cancer.org
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