(Reuters) – the total number of Americans who are diagnosed or die of cancer is declining, but certain types of obesity and inactivity-related cancer are on the rise, according to the annual report of the situation of cancer in United States.
United States cancer rates fell by 0.6 per cent per year between 2004 and 2008, according to the report, based on data from the National Institute of cancer, Disease prevention and Control centers and other sources.
For men, the incidence of prostate cancer was reduced by an average of 2.1 per cent per year, while lung cancer rates fell by 2 percent.
In women, lung cancer rates fell by 1.2 per cent a year, while the incidence of breast cancer, which is associated with obesity, remained equal.
“the incidence of breast cancer was reduced when the hormones retreated, but now it has stabilized,” said Dr. Powell Brown, President of the cancer prevention in the Department of medical oncology in cancer MD Anderson Center at the University of Texas in Houston.
Brown referred to the discovery of several years ago that the hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women increased the risk of breast cancer and heart disease.
El Dr. Brown also explained that the trend of the lung cancer in women has followed men for about 10 years, reflecting the widespread use of tobacco among women.
Smoking is responsible for about one-third of all cancer cases in United States, while another 20 percent or more are linked to obesity and the inactividad.0
More than one third of Americans are overweight and more than one quarter are obese, increasing their chances of developing health problems, such as heart disease, cardiovascular accidents, diabetes, as well as certain types of cancer.
The possible mechanisms for the Association of obesity with cancer include hormone production, the role of the cells of fat in the growth of the tumor and inflammation levels.
Annual report revealed that rates of cancer of pancreas and kidney – both linked to excess weight and sedentary life – rose 1.1 percent and by 3 percent, respectively, each year from 2004 to 2008.
The incidence of colon, also linked to obesity, cancer fell by 2.4 per cent per year during the same period.
“Part of that may be related to colon cancer detection”, said Dr. Brown. “may also be related to diet or other exhibitions people.” “Do not understand well,” added.
The report also showed that, in general, fewer people are dying of cancer. United States cancer mortality fell in a 1.9 percent annually from 2004 to 2008, while treatments improved and the incidence decreased.
“while smoking is considered a factor of extreme risk for cancer (…) in the future will appreciate that obesity and lack of physical activity are major risk factors,” said Dr. Brown. “Need to inform people so that they increase the exercise, eat healthy and lose weight”, he added.
