World Cancer Day - Tobacco Use Linked to 20% of Cancer Deaths Worldwide

Are you wearing red this fine Friday? Today is World Cancer Day. And did you know that tobacco use accounts for 20% of cancer deaths? That makes it the most preventable cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the American Cancer Society! The organization says their report, released today, found that in 2008, lung cancer made the top three cancers in both men and women.

Wisconsin has been making great strides to address this issue lately, including with the implementation of a statewide smoke-free law.

But the report by ACS finds cancer numbers will likely double by 2030, to reach 21.4 million cases and 13.2 million deaths. Part of the reason cancer will increase, according to this report, is that the population will increase, and the population will age, but in a press release by ACS the organization says, "it may be compounded by the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors related to economic development, such as smoking, poor diet, and physical nutrition."

For this reason, and many others, it is important that Wisconsin continue investing in tobacco control efforts through protection and enforcement of the statewide smoke-free law and adequately funding the state's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, among other efforts.

Let's continue promoting a healthy Wisconsin and bring those cancer numbers down!


Click here to read about World Cancer Day on American Cancer Society's Web site