Cancer Control Month: How Awareness and Prevention Can Save Lives
In the U.S., Cancer Control Month is observed each year during April. President Franklin D. Roosevelt first declared the month-long observation in April 1943. At the time, cancer was the cause of almost 150,000 deaths each year. Today, cancer claims the lives of about 1,670 people in the U.S. daily – resulting in more than 600,000 deaths a year. Breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers account for almost half of all new cancer cases in the county.
The Importance of Early Detection and Prevention
During Cancer Control Month, we focus on the importance of early detection and prevention. As a result, more people understand the risk factors and symptoms by spreading awareness and increasing education about cancer detection and prevention. In addition, understanding cancer increases the likelihood of patients communicating with their healthcare providers and health professionals about their concerns.
Cancer Control Month also emphasizes the importance of screening and early diagnosis. Screening tests can detect cancer early on before the onset of symptoms. However, by the time symptoms manifest, cancer may have already progressed and spread. This can make the disease more difficult to treat. When cancer care and treatment are delayed, the chance of survival is reduced, and once cancer has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body, treatment tends to be more aggressive and likely costs more.
Prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for cancer control, and it can be achieved by increasing public awareness, reducing exposure to cancer risk factors, and ensuring that individuals have access to the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles. Some of the most prevalent cancers in the U.S. are preventable by managing certain controllable risk factors. These cancers include:
● Breast cancer
● Cervical cancer
● Colorectal cancer
● Head and neck cancer
● Lung cancer
● Ovarian cancer
● Prostate cancer
● Skin cancer
● Testicular cancer
Improving Treatment and Quality of Life
Unfortunately, not all cancers are preventable. Therefore, another focus of Cancer Control Month emphasizes improving cancer treatment, health outcomes, survival rates, and the patient’s quality of life. Today, the most common types of cancer treatment include:
● Chemotherapy
● Surgery
● Radiation therapy
● Immunotherapy
● Hormone therapy
● Targeted therapy
● Stem cell or bone marrow transplant
At Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology, we provide diverse treatment options. Each treatment is customized to you, your diagnosis, and what makes sense in your life. The following are some of the cutting-edge treatments we offer:
● Cyberknife Radiosurgery
● High-Dose Rate Radiation Therapy
● Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
● Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
● Leipzig & Valencia
● Prostate Seed Implants
● Savi Breast Cancer Treatment
● Brachytherapy Treatment
Some people are at greater risk than others due to their genetics, diet, level of physical activity, environment, age, gender, and lifestyle choices. Therefore, each person needs to understand their risks and whether they should be talking to their doctor about screening. We encourage you to contact us, ask us questions, or consult us for a first or second opinion.