September 18, 2024 – Cancer is increasingly becoming a survivable disease within the United States, but a lack of information of the risks related to alcohol and unhealthy lifestyles could possibly be slowing this progress.
The overall cancer death rate fell 33% from 1991 to 2021, representing 4.1 million fewer cancer-related deaths, the study found Cancer Progress Report 2024 from the American Association for Cancer Research. Five-year survival rates have improved in children, adolescents and young adults, with roughly 85% now living at the very least 5 years after diagnosis.
While cancer stays primarily a disease that affects older people (57% of diagnoses are in people ages 65 and older), the report authors noted trends in cancer incidence amongst middle-aged adults. Of particular concern is the increasing rate of colon cancer in younger people, which is usually only diagnosed in life-threatening late stages. People in Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) are expected to have higher rates of cancer than previous generations.
Public awareness campaigns and regulatory measures are needed to assist people take steps to cut back their cancer risk, the authors wrote. The authors found that 40% of all cancers have modifiable risk aspects, akin to: B. reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking or controlling body weight.
“Unfortunately, awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer is still low, highlighting the need for public information campaigns such as: B. cancer-specific warnings on alcoholic beverages and effective clinical strategies to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers. “wrote the report’s authors.
Recent analyzes have exposed flaws in previous conclusions that light or moderate alcohol consumption may have heart health benefits. Scientists say these studies didn't adequately account for people who had stopped drinking because of health problems. Newer Studies There is increasing evidence that alcohol consumption is a major cancer risk factor.
Alcohol consumption particularly increases the risk of colon, liver, stomach, breast, head, neck and throat cancer. An estimated one in 20 cancers in the United States in 2019 was due to alcohol consumption, the report said. It is pointed out that starting alcohol consumption early increases the risk of cancer later in life.
The report's authors called for increased efforts to help people make lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of cancer. About one in five cancer diagnoses is related to body weight, poor diet, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. Lifestyle awareness campaigns have been effective in the past, as declining smoking rates have been linked to lower cancer rates.
Meanwhile, medical breakthroughs are leading to improved diagnosis, treatment and survival. The report praised breakthroughs in the treatment of melanoma, small cell lung cancer and blood cancers.
“Cancer diagnostics are becoming more and more sophisticated. New technologies such as spatial transcriptomics help us study tumors at the cellular level. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches are beginning to transform cancer detection, diagnosis, clinical decision-making and treatment response monitoring,” said Patricia M. LoRusso, DO, AACR president, in a Press release. “These advances will lead to improved patient care.”