November 17, 2017 – Cancer Knowledge

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Anchor lead: Are you familiar with risk factors for cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports

While some risk factors for cancer are known by many people, some common ones are less well-known, a recent Gallup survey for the American Society of Clinical Oncology found. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, describes noteworthy findings.

Nelson: Seventy-eight percent of them said they understood that tobacco use could increase their risk for cancer. Somewhat disappointingly only about 30-31% displayed some understanding that alcohol use or overuse and obesity contribute to cancer risk. There are some estimates that this growing obesity epidemic in the country could be responsible for as many as 500,000 excess cancer cases over what would otherwise occur by 2030 in this country alone, so that only a third or less had that sense was concerning.   :33

Nelson says the numbers point to a clear need for better public awareness campaigns since the majority of these risk factors involve personal choice. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.