Published: March 13, 2008 03:32 pm         

Neighbors Together Against Cancer: Statistics do tell the story

One of the services provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) is the compilation of statistics that have a bearing on the fight against cancer. Although the statistics are far from the solutions, they do reveal significant information about the disease, and knowledge is the key to winning the war on cancer. Here are a few of the latest statistics with comment for your consideration:

The estimated number of new cancer cases in the U.S. in 2007 was projected to be 1,444,920 with 28,440 projected in Tennessee. Of the total new cases diagnosed, 766,860 are projected for men and 678,060 for women. U.S. deaths due to cancer were projected to be 559,650 in 2007. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease, accounting for one of every four deaths.

These are the estimated incidences of the 28,440 new cases of cancer in Tennessee in 2007 by type of cancer: lung and bronchus, 5,110; female breast, 3,690; colon and rectum, 3,100; prostate, 3,000; urinary bladder, 1,230; non-Hodgkin lymphoma,1,180; melanoma of the skin, 980; leukemia, 800; uterine corpus, 660; and uterine cervix, 250. These statistics underline why the ACS maintains an active nationwide program of advocacy against tobacco and for breast and colon cancer screening. The ACS has been particularly active in Tennessee in 2007 advocating an end to smoking in public buildings and targeting early detection of breast and cervical cancer.

The National Institute of Health estimated the overall costs of cancer in 2006 at $206.3 billion. The economic cost to the state of Tennessee due to tobacco-caused cancer is estimated to be more than a billion dollars. It is no wonder then, that the Tennessee legislature responded last year to ACS lobbying and the devastating reality of state statistics by passing vital legislation restricting smoking in public buildings. This year the ACS will continue to lobby for a smoke-free workplace by securing recurring funds for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, protecting statewide smoke-free law from added exemptions, and removing age exemptions from the law to protect all workers from the dangers of second-hand smoke. In regard to breast and cervical screening programs in place, the ACS will advocate an additional $1 million to maintain the viability of these programs. The ACS will also advocate colorectal screening and mandates that require all health insurance policies to include a full range of colorectal cancer screenings. Also advocated will be a colorectal early detection program to measure need for screenings for those Tennesseans without health insurance or those below 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

Statistics do tell the story, the war on cancer is expensive but the consequences of not waging the war are even more expensive. The war is nationwide but fought at the local level. How can you help? Donate to help fund this war on cancer by contributing generously to our Glade “Neighbors Together Against Cancer” campaign. You will receive a letter in late April for this purpose. This is the Fairfield Glade campaign to provide local services through the American Cancer Society. Also, please call to volunteer your help in this campaign. Call Becky Shovlin at 484-9223 or Bill Gentit at 707-9039 to volunteer. Learn more at www.cancer.org.