CDC: 40% of Cancer Cases in US Might Be Linked to Tobacco

By Stacy Simon New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 40% of cancers diagnosed in the US may have a link to tobacco use. The report was published in the November 11, 2016 issue of Vital Signs. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths. It can cause cancer of the liver, colon and rectum, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia. According to the CDC, about 660,000 people in the US were diagnosed each year between 2009 and 2013 with a cancer related to tobacco use. About 343,000 people died. RESOURCES: The Great American SmokeoutGuide to Quitting Smoking Cigarette smoking drops, but not equally across populations In a separate article in the November 11, 2016 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC released data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The data shows that current cigarette smoking among US adults declined from 20.9% in 2005 to 15.1% in 2015. That’s the lowest prevalence of adult cigarette smoking since the CDC began the NHIS survey in 1965. Lisa C. Richardson, MD, MPH, director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control credits tobacco control programs for the decline. “When states invest in comprehensive cancer control programs—including tobacco control—we see greater benefits for everyone and fewer deaths from tobacco-rela...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Smoking/Tobacco Source Type: news