Cancer to Be Number One Killer by 2010, Reports Show

According to the ABC News, Cancer Resource Center website, (pg 1), Dr. Len Lichenfeld, stated by 2010, cancer will be listed as the number one cause of death throughout the world. He further added that although many people in the United States gave up smoking, other developing world countries are now starting to feel the effects of smoking and now have a higher rate of cancer cases, due to tobacco usage. Dr. Lichtenfeld stated ( to the ABC News Cancer Resource Center) that by 2030, there could be as many as 27 million new cases of cancer, 17 million deaths, and at least 75 million people living that were diagnosed with cancer within a five year period. (Dr. Lichtenfeld is the deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.)

Furthermore, Dr. Lichtenfeld believed , that approximately 12% of cancers, in developing countries, are caused by the use of tobacco products. However, this percentage is expected to rise, as cigarettes, and other sources of tobacco become more available to the general public. Another factor, leading to the increase in cancer cases, is the fact that many of these countries are adopting life styles of the United States. These styles include fast food chain restaurants, and very unhealthy diets, which leads to obesity and the related increase in cancers. Not mentioned in the article concerning the unhealthy diets is the fact that unhealthy diets also can cause high levels of cholestrol, heart problems, and diabetes.

As of now several organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G Komen for the cure, and the International Agency for Research on cancer are working together and trying to decide upon what actions can be taken to end the world wide cancer problem.

Some of these ideas include: (ABC News Cancer Resource Center website pgs 2-3)

1. Making vaccines for various diseases available and affordable to developing or low income nations. One vaccine that should be included is for cervical cancer which is quite expensive. Ways should be found to make it affordable for the women of these countries.