Cancer Survivor Lance Armstrong After His 2003 (Fifth) Tour de France Win

More and more Americans are surviving cancer, a disease that was previously perceived as a death sentence for those diagnosed with it.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease. The four top cancer killers: lung, colon, breast and prostate.

The American Cancer Society claims that cancer accounts for one in every four deaths in the U.S. More than 1,500 lives a day are lost to cancer.

While the number of U.S. cancer cases are expected to continue to increase, the top four killer cancers will decrease, the cancer society predicts.

Yesterday, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published findings from a 1971-2001 U.S. "Cancer Survivorship" study. The results of these findings: The number of Americans surviving cancer climbed more than threefold, from 3 million to 9.8 million, in the past 30 years.

Thanks to advances in early detection and treatment of cancer, the disease has become curable in some cases and in others, it is being treated as a chronic illness.

"Cancer traditionally has been a disease that's affected the elderly disproportionately," said Steve Jones, spokesman for the American Cancer Society's South Atlantic region.

"With better treatment and screening and greater awareness of what you can do to prevent it and detect it early, it's helping all age groups," including the one most at risk, which also is the fastest-growing population, Mr. Jones said.

The CDC's report shows that 61% of cancer survivors are 65 and older. One of every six Americans older than 65 is estimated to be a cancer survivor.

A third of cancer survivors -- the second biggest proportion -- are ages 40 to 64.

"Cancer Survivor" is the proverbial definition these days. Those previously diagnosed were considered "cancer victims."

The report gives hope to those diagnosed with cancer today: Sixty-four percent of U.S. adults diagnosed today can expect to be living in five years. This is a 50% increase from those who were diagnosed with cancer from 1975-1979, the report indicates.

A National Health Objective for 2010

A national health objective for 2010 is to increase the proportion of cancer survivors living five years after diagnosis from 64% today to 70% in six years.

Children already have reached that goal.

Children with Cancer

In the 1960s, childhood cancers were nearly always fatal.

From 1975 to 1979, 56 percent of children younger than 14 were expected to live five years after diagnosis.

Today, seventy-nine percent of childhood cancer survivors can expect to be living five years after diagnosis, and nearly 75 percent will be living 10 years after diagnosis.

Breast Cancer

Breast-cancer survivors make up the largest category of cancer survivors in the country at 22 percent.

Prostate-Cancer Survivors

Prostate-cancer survivors are second at 17 percent.

Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Survivors of colorectal cancer rank third at 11 percent.

Survivors of Gynecologic Cancers

Survivors of gynecologic cancers are fourth at 10 percent.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, the top cancer killer, is expected to claim over 150,000 lives this year. However, lung cancer deaths rates among women leveled off for the first time between 1995 and 2001, after continuously increasing for many decades. And for the first time, lung cancer incidence rates among women are on the decline.

In a separate 50-year study released by the British Medical Journal, it was reported yesterday that at least half, and perhaps as many as two-thirds, of people who begin smoking in their youth are eventually killed by the habit.

Those who stopped at the age of 60 gained three years of life, those who quit at 50 gained six years and those who stopped smoking at 40 gained nine years of life expectancy, the report said. For those who kick the habit at 30 the increased risk was avoided almost totally, the researchers said.

Researchers Richard Doll (now 91) and Bradford Hill said that, on average, cigarette smokers die about 10 years younger than non-smokers.

---

Poor nutrition causes about a third of U.S. cancer deaths, and Americans still fall well short of the cancer society's dietary guidelines. Less than one in five adults eats the recommended five or more fruits and vegetables a day.

Sedentary lifestyles also contribute to cancer, as exercise reduces the risk of breast and colon cancer and possibly pancreatic, prostate, lung and endometrial cancers.

For more information, go to the American Cancer Society's website at: Cancer.org

For stories of inspiration and support, go to: ACS' Stories of Hope

To get free, confidential, one-on-one support, go to the:

"Cancer is a devastating disease that impacts so many people. But the good news is there is hope and these data show we are winning the battle as people with cancer are living longer and more healthier lives than ever before," said CDC Director Julie Gerberding, M.D. "But we can't become complacent. We must renew our efforts to make sure people make healthy choices to prevent cancer, that they are properly screened for cancer, and that they receive the appropriate treatment when they have cancer."

To stay abreast of clinical trials in development, go to: BioSpace.com

In response to the growing number of cancer survivors in the United States, many organizations are involved in survivorship issues. Recently, CDC and the Lance Armstrong Foundation released a National Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies.

Also, the NCIDEA: President's Cancer Panel released a report, Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance, earlier this month.

National Cancer Survivor's Day was June 6th. On that Sunday, I was thinking of you, Betsy. And praying for the two-year old daughter you left behind who is now a bright, beautiful teenager.

Good luck Lance in your effort to win the Tour de France for the sixth time. We are cheering you on!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

~Jennifer King