Millions Of Cancer Cases Prevented As Treatments Evolve

A close up of some blue and yellow cells


A study which was published Wednesday (a companion to the American Cancer Society’s 2022 Annual Report)) said that although cancer diagnoses and treatment were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 3.5 million cancer deaths were prevented in recent decades as treatments evolved.  The authors of the paper which was published in the journal “CA : A Cancer Journal for Clinicians†said rising rates of breast and advanced staged prostate cancer, both of which can be detected early, are concerning.  However, there has been significant progress made in other types of cancer.  Over the past two years, there were more than 15 new drugs approved for lung cancer, for example.  And pills blocking certain genes that cause cancer cells to grow, as well as immunotherapies that help a patient’s own immune system respond to cancer are leading to better outcomes.

Prostate Cancer A Big Risk For Seniors

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Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with an estimated 161,000 new cases in 2017 alone. You might have seen it being talked about on the news or being mentioned by family members. But what are the risk factors? How can you reduce your chances of getting prostate cancer? And what are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer in seniors?

The following are some of the most important things you need to know about prostate cancer in seniors.

How Senior Males Can Reduce The Risk Of Developing Prostate Cancer

Awareness of prostate cancer has been increasing over the years. Here’s a look at what you can do to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Men aged 50 and above have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. But there are steps you can take to lower this risk, such as talking with your physician or urologist about blood tests that can detect possible changes in the prostate gland.

Different Types Of Treatment For Older Men With Prostate Cancer

Older men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Age alone does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, but the risk is increased by other factors, such as family history, race, and other medical conditions.

Treatment options for seniors with prostate cancer:

-Hormone therapy

-Radiation therapy

-Chemotherapy

-Surgery

American Cancer Society Reports Mixed Results

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A recent report from the American Cancer Society which measures cancer cases and deaths through 2018 showed mixed results. U.S. cancer death rates for men, women and communities of color are falling.  However, obesity and unequal access to care provide a blueprint for a reversal of this trend. Death rates for lung cancer and melanoma improved quite a bit, but recent progress on breast and colon cancer deaths slowed and prostate cancer death rates flattened after years of decline.  “The decrease in smoking is a huge reason,†said Dr. Otis Brawley, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and former chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.  “Keep in mind it is not just lung cancer, but smoking causes 18 different cancers,†he said.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/07/08/cancer-death-rates-drop-obesity-drive-disease/7880844002/