Preventing and treating cancer

Getting ahead of cancer

Over the past two decades, cancer death rates have decreased dramatically. The American Cancer Society reported a 32% drop in the cancer death rate between 1991 and 2019. In part, it attributes this declining death rate to cancer prevention and early detection.

Prevention In fact, most of the decline comes from a decrease in lung cancer deaths. The primary reason is less smoking.

“This is a trend that takes decades to show results,” states Dr. Fosker, Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre. “The you don’t light a cigarette and develop lung cancer the next morning. Cigarette smoking has been on a steady decline since the 1960s and we are now seeing

The American Lung Association reports a decline from 42.4% of the adult population smoking in 1965 to only 13.7% in 2018 — a 68% decline. In Bermuda, a 2011 Bermuda Health Council Health in Review Report found that only 8% of residents smoked daily.

“We can expect to see a further decline in lung cancer deaths as more people choose to take the preventive measure of not smoking,” continues Dr. Fosker. “This is an excellent example of the power of prevention.”

Another important preventive measure is reducing alcohol consumption. The American Cancer Society attributes 6% of cancer cases and 4% of cancer deaths to alcohol use.

“In Bermuda, breast cancer is the main has been linked with consuming alcohol, even in small amounts,” explains Dr. Fosker.

Other cancers associated with alcohol consumption include cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, colon, and rectum.

Exercise is another form of cancer prevention. Physical activity helps to control weight, reduce oestrogen and insulin levels, and strengthen the immune system.

A 2016 study by the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute linked exercise with reducing the risk of

Other prevention methods include maintaining a healthy diet, using sun protection, and getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B, which is associated with liver cancer, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the cause of nearly all cervical cancers.

Detection Early detection is also contributing to the declining cancer death rate. Treatment their early stages and routine screenings help to detect cancer when it is most treatable.

Women should begin regular screening for cervical cancer at age 25 and receive an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. Men should screen for prostate cancer annually at age 45 if they are their annual screens can start at age 50. Both men and women should begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. Individuals who are at high risk for lung cancer should be screened annually.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre provides cancer screening and subsidises costs for the underinsured and uninsured. Learn more about cancer prevention and early detection at cancer.bm.