Prevention

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. In 2023, roughly 2.0 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States. An estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, which makes it the most common cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis among men and the second most common diagnosis overall with 288,300 expected cases. Lung and bronchus cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis with an estimated 238,340 new cases.

In addition to the physical problems and emotional distress caused by cancer, the high costs of care are also a burden to patients, their families, and to the public. An estimated 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are caused by a combination of excess body weight, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption and poor nutrition. By participating in healthy behaviors, the risk for developing diseases, including cancer, is reduced.

The Facts

The World Health Organization estimates that between 30-50% of cancers are preventable, either through eliminating environmental exposures to carcinogens or through modifying lifestyle behaviors. Some factors associated with increased cancer risks include: being overweight or obese; poor nutrition and physical activity; tobacco use; UV exposure; and alcohol use.

Tobacco

  • Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide with 480,000 people dying every year from a tobacco related illness in the United States. (CDC)
  • In South Dakota the adult smoking rate is 18.1%; 44.5% of American Indians in South Dakota smoke. (BRFSS, 2016)

Overweight or Obese

  • 36.7% of adults are overweight, and 29.3% of adults are obese.
  • 14.4% of adolescents are overweight, and 9% of adolescents are obese.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors

  • 39.3% of adults reported consuming fruit less than one time daily.
  • 53.7% of adults achieved the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

UV Exposure

  • 24% of South Dakota adults use sunblock most of the time. (2014 SD BRFSS)
  • In 2015, 12.1% of South Dakota school aged children, grades 9-12, most of the time or always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher when they are outside for more than one hour on a sunny day. (SD YRBSS 2015)

Alcohol

  • 19% of the population have had a binge drinking episode in the last month (Defined as: 5 or more drinks in one sitting for males or 4 or more drinks for females)
  • 5% of the population engage in heavy drinking (Defined as males who report having more than 2 drinks per day, or female who report having more than 1 drink per day)

HPV Vaccination

  • HPV is a very common virus; nearly 80 million people -about 1 out of 4- are currently infected in the United States.
  • Every year in the United States, HPV causes 30,700 cancers in men and women.

Tobacco

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Overweight or Obese

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Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors

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UV Exposure

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Alcohol

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HPV Vaccination

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