Cancer Facts - The Good News
Fortunately, deaths due to cancer are dropping. According to the "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2002," cancer-related death rates declined 1.1% each year between 1993 and 2002.
The authors of this report believe the drop may be associated with the nation's progress in efforts to detect cancer, screen
for cancer and treat cancer.
Making lifestyle changes may help prevent certain types of cancer. For instance, quitting smoking is an important change that may help lower the risk for lung cancer, and protecting yourself from the sun's harmful rays may help lower the risk for skin cancer.
Since cancer cannot always be prevented, however, taking measures to catch cancer early is important. Talk to your doctor about getting screened regularly for certain types of cancer, learning how to give yourself detection exams at home, and learning how to recognize possible cancer symptoms.
To learn more about cancer screening and early detection, visit the following pages in this section:
And be sure to visit our Helpful Resources section for more information about cancer. You will find links to useful Web sites, tips for Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects, Educational Materials, and more.
