New cancer stats and risk reducers

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that there will be 166,400 new cases of cancer and 73,800 deaths from cancer this year, according to their Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008. While incidence and death rates for the majority of cancer sites have stabilized or declined during the past decade, lung and thyroid cancers are on the increase for women.

It’s easy to adopt a fatalistic attitude about cancer. “Oh, everything causes cancer,” some say. But the bottom line is that there are plenty of easy ways to significantly reduce your risk. Try eating more whole grains, for example. Or, say no to that second martini.

If you haven’t done so recently, talk to your healthcare professional about your cancer risk. But before you do, visit checkupchecklist.cancer.ca to get a personalized checklist to take to with you to the doctor’s office, as well as more information on reducing your likelihood of the disease.

It only takes about a minute—time very well spent!