FitSugar

Good News! Cancer Deaths Down in the US

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 PST

In these days of economic turmoil, where the markets seem to plunge everyday, I thought I would share some good news with you that involves declining rates. I am talking about the steady decline in cancer deaths in the US. Since 2002, the overall rate of deaths due to cancer has decreased at a rate of 1.8 percent fewer cases annually. Rates for new cases of cancer are declining too. Yay!

The number crunchers behind these statistics credit the declining cancer rates to decreases in the number of people smoking. It is a public health victory! The combined elements of higher cigarette taxes, smoking bans in public places, as well as smoking cessation and educational programs have helped the US begin to really kick the nicotine habit.

If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. You can add 10 to 15 years to your life by giving up smoking. This is one situation where it is great to be a quitter. New Year's resolutions are just around the corner, and if you have been contemplating giving up the habit, let me remind you that there are plenty of reasons to quit smoking and many things to help.

Source

Good News: Cancer Deaths on the Decline

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:30:00 PDT

October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have been reading a lot about breast cancer and how it affects lives. I don't think I have cried this much while surfing the web. When I saw the headline "Report Shows Cancer Deaths Declining," I felt like jumping for joy! A new report indicates that cancer deaths in the US are down. Looks like the prevention strategies of early detection and better treatments are working and the statistics show it.

Two things are still problematic, though. One being that Native Americans are not benefiting from the prevention strategies at the same rate as other Americans. The second problem is smoking. Oh how I hate smoking. It seems the number of women smoking is not decreasing, and more people are taking up the icky habit earlier. Here are a few reasons and tips on quitting smoking, just in case you need them.

To end on a good note and with a little healthful reminder: Breast cancer deaths are down (that is the "good note"), but not enough women are getting breast exams (that would be the reminder – and here is a way to get an email reminder every month from iVillage). Also be sure to get an annual clinical breast exam.

Feds Want Cigarette Packets With Graphic Warnings

Susi May — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:15:59 PST

In case you didn't get the message: smoking cigarettes is dangerous for your health. Since a picture is worth a thousand ~~warnings~~ words, the Food and Drug Administration is proposing the placement of graphic images on cigarette packages. The agency hopes the grisly images - corpses, cancer patients, and diseased lungs - will deter people from smoking. Tobacco use is responsible for 443,000 deaths per year.

Although there has been a steady decline in smoking, from 40 percent in the 1970s to 20 percent now, the numbers are no longer falling. In a statement released today, the FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, "The health consequences of smoking will be obvious every time someone picks up a pack of cigarettes."

The FDA has created 36 images to help the agency make sure its warnings have a visual, if not visceral impact. Here are 12 of the images. Take a look and let me know what you think.

View 12 Photos ›

Source: FDA