A new large study from the American Cancer Society suggests incidence rates continued to rise in successively younger generations in 17 of the 34 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. Mortality trends also increased in conjunction with the incidence of other cancers including liver and uterine. The report was published in the journal The Lancet Public Health.
Dr. Bruce Waldholtz on behalf of the American Cancer Society explains that while obesity might be the easy answer the challenge for that includes diets of convenience, food deserts, and an increase in the consumption of processed foods.
I was surprised to see that the study references that our society needs to understand the “burden” of cancers. Dr. Waldholtz spoke about the need for more prevention, screenings, and access to care. This means access to healthcare and insurance. He speaks about their advocacy arm and the work being done to advocate on behalf of healthier outcomes for everyone facing the disease.
We’ve been told for years now that a cure for cancer was on the horizon. The Biden administration has heralded their Cancer Moon Shot Initiative.
I asked about the cure. Dr. Waldholtz spoke about the HPV vaccine that has the power to decrease between 6 - 7 cancers if everyone receives the shot between ages 9 - 13. He also shared cure rates are increasing for many cancers including lung cancer.
For more information on the report from The American Cancer Society