Wednesday, December 7, 2011

What We Know About Cancer

A new study in the British Journal of Cancer has reported that more than 60 percent of cancer cases in Great Britain can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes. Those numbers apply to those of us here "across the pond" as well.

We know that at least 70 percent of cancer cases in the United States can be prevented by lifestyle modifications, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, and reducing or, even better, eliminating tobacco use. This is especially important for those of us in Alabama, which ranks seventh in the nation for cancer mortality with 211.3 cancer deaths per 100,000 people.

During this time of year, when we all make resolutions to improve ourselves, let's make one to apply what we know and end cancer as a public health problem.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

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