How Can You Impact The Lives of 35,440 Georgians?
The answer is simple: You can become involved in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates 35,440 Georgians will be diagnosed with cancer this year, with 14,950 succumbing to the disease. Still, the future holds great potential for reducing that number considerably—and you can help.
Georgia continues to make great advances in the fight against cancer, from the establishment of the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) to the creation of a nearly $20 million dollar, multidisciplinary research program in cancer nanotechnology, and much more.
At the community level, Georgia Cancer Foundation (GCF) offers innovative programs for Georgia residents affected by all types of cancer. Our three-pronged approach includes:
- Education
- Screening/early detection
- Support
Of course, GCF is not alone. Across the state, dedicated cancer organizations, academic institutions, and research programs—with continued support from the private and public sectors—are banding together to reduce new cancer cases and deaths in Georgia.
And we are already seeing progress. The ACS recently reported that the number of cancer deaths in the U.S. dropped for the second straight year. The drop is attributed to reduced tobacco use, discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy, and improved detection and treatment of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.
But our goals amount to much more than just numbers: We want to help change the culture of cancer.
Today we are seeing a paradigm shift, as cancer has become largely a chronic disease that people are living with, like heart disease and diabetes. There are over 10 million cancer survivors in the United States, and that number is growing everyday. Now it is time to take the next step: reducing and/or eliminating as many cancers as possible that plague our communities.
The first step is education. In the recent past, cancer was the dreaded “C word,” invoking fear and confusion. We have made progress in our understanding of the disease, but still too many myths permeate the facts. For example, one recent study found that more than one-third of Americans believe they have little or no control over their cancer risk. These perceptions are not only false, they are dangerous. We must continue to teach the public that their lifestyle choices directly affect their risk of developing some cancers. We must all understand that we do have power against the disease.
The second step is early detection through screening. Colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S, is curable and preventable with screenings every 10 years, beginning at age 50 for whites and 45 for African Americans. Still 55,000 Americans die from colon cancer every year. We must do more to encourage and support colorectal screening.
The third and final step is support for cancer survivors. Until the disease is cured, we as a community have an obligation to nurture the emotional needs of cancer patients. GCF and its affiliate programs provide a comprehensive support structure for Georgians afflicted with all types of cancer.
It has taken us years to understand that education, early detection, and support are the most effective ways to beat cancer. Now that we recognize the tools at our disposal, it is imperative that we use them.
You can make a difference in the lives of 35,440 Georgians.
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