I have done some research and have discovered some interesting facts about cancer that may scare you as much as they did me...
1. Over 1.6 MILLION people will have been diagnosed with cancer in 2012.
2. In 2012, it is estimated that over a half of a million people will die from cancer.
3. Of those people, one-third will have been related to obesity, physical activity, or poor nutrition.
4. In 2012, more than TWO MILLION people will be diagnosed with skin cancer, the majority of which could have been prevented with the proper use of sunscreen.
5. Cancers that can be detected earlier by screening account for half of all new cancer cases.
6. In the U.S., men have slightly less than a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer.
7. Only 5% of cancer is strongly heredity.
8. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S.; heart disease is number one.
9. The overall cost of cancer in 2007 was 226.8 BILLION dollars.
10. Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer; breast cancer is second.
As a nursing major, cancer and death are more prevalent in my life than in other's. However, beyond my experience in the hospital, I have watched countless family members and friends suffer at the hands of cancer. I am no stranger to brain tumors, end stage lung cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. If we all stopped to take a minute, we would realize how ominous cancer truly is in our lives. After discovering some of these facts though, that should not be the case.
It is appalling to think that 33% of cancer related deaths are due to poor lifestyle choices. I am guilty myself of not always doing what is best for my body. As I have said before though, it is never to late for a change. A close friend of mind had been a smoker for the majority of her life but, she just recently celebrated being three months nicotine free, without the use of a patch or nicotine gum. She should be an inspiration to anyone reading this blog who smokes. It is not just nicotine that we as humans choose to use while being well aware of the toll it will take on our bodies. We continue to consume too much alcohol, use too little sunscreen, eat too much processed foods, and spend entirely TOO much time on the couch or behind a computer screen.
The worst part is that we are aware of the consequences. It is all over the news, on countless TV commercials, and on billboards across America, yet we never seem to listen. It does not have to be January 1st in order to commit to a change. Let today be the day you promise to walk 30 minutes a day, to quit smoking, to cut out sweets, or to cut back on the alcohol. No one in this world is perfect and we can always strive towards a healthier lifestyle. We are capable of more than we think; so let today be the day we wage war against cancer and take back the friends and family we knew who were apart of that 33%.
While I want you all to enjoy my blog, I also hope to empower you with knowledge. Do not let cancer take from you more loved ones than it should. Make a change and inspire a friend to, as well. Believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. And never be too ignorant to avoid the doctor. A little pain now is better than what may lie ahead. For those interested in donating to my walk please visit my AVON page here.
