The American Cancer Society released their 2014 cancer statistics earlier this week and a significant decline in cancer death rates for the past two decades has been reported. There has been a 20 percent drop in the overall risk of dying from cancer since the early 90s. The most rapid progress has been found in middle-aged African American males, with a steady decline of 50 percent. Within every 10-year age gap, African American males experienced the largest decline; although the overall cancer incidence of African American males is still higher than all other ethnicities in the United States. Asian Americans still having the lowest rates as previously reported.
Though the death rates and number of cancer cases have dropped steadily overall, this years report still estimates about 585,720 deaths from cancer and another 1,665,540 new cases of cancer in 2014. This corresponds to about 1,600 deaths per a day.
Among women, the three most common cancers to be newly diagnosed in 2014 will be breast, lung and colon which will amount to half of all of the cases for this year; with breast cancer alone to account for 29 percent of all new cases. In men, prostate, colon and lung cancer will be the top three diagnosed, with prostate cancer being the most prevalent.
While the overall new case expectancy is still discouraging to say the least, the 20 percent drop results in the avoidance of well over one million new cases.
How can you do your best to avoid becoming another case? Well there are the obvious tips like not smoking and wearing sunscreen but it's also important to remember to actively follow your physician's instructions for attending proper examinations. If you're a woman over the age of 20, self examine for lumps or changes in your breasts at least once a month. If you are a man or woman over the age of 40, follow your physicians recommendations for colon exams. In addition to that, know your family's medical history and pay close attention to any possible dispositions towards cancer.
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