Continuing Challenges in Changing Behaviors Raise Cancer Risks

An annual report from the American Cancer Society finds continuing challenges in changing behaviors and risk factors in order to reduce suffering and death from cancer. The report, “Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures (CPED) 2013,” outlines the current prevalence of tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, and the use of established screening tests, and emphasizes that social, economic, and legislative factors profoundly influence the individual health behaviors that contribute to cancer risk. “Our report is a striking reminder that we need to do a better job reducing behavioral risk factors that increase cancer risk,” commented lead author Vilma Cokkinides, from the American Cancer Society. “We could eliminate much of the suffering and death from cancer with better, more systematic efforts to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition and opportunities for physical activity, and expand the use of those screening tests that are proven effective.”