Numbers of both new diagnoses and deaths from cancer have dropped over recent years according to the annual report released earlier this week. This decline is across the board, with men and women, and most ethnic groups experiencing lower numbers. The three most widely diagnosed forms of cancer — lung, prostate, and colorectal — and two of the three most common cancers for women — breast and colorectal — are the cause for the significant overall decline.
Why the decline in cancer diagnoses and deaths?
According to the report, it is a combination of factors including lifestyle changes, preventative medicine, efforts at early detection, and new more effective therapies. For example, with more screenings, new treatments, and the willingness of patients to improve their health by doing things such as quitting smoking, it is believed that the mortality rate of colorectal cancer will continue to drop, with a reduction of as much as 50% by 2020. Still, with some forms of cancer there has been little progress if any.
What can individuals do to reduce their risk of cancer?
Although doctors are able to offer better treatments and more screening methods for certain cancers than they could ten years ago, limiting risk factors is a step that every individual can take to help reduce their risk of cancer. Quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in natural foods, getting regular exercise, controlling stress, and avoiding chemicals as much as possible are all fundamental steps everyone can take.
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