If you follow my blog, you know that I write about health and wellness. I write about different ways to stay healthy, fit, stress free, and ultimately live the best possible life you can. I write in hopes that people will read and heed at least some of the information I put out into the world. Yet, I continue to learn that many people have yet to make appropriate changes in their life. This became even clearer after reading the American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Opinion Survey. The ASCO surveyed over 4000 people, giving us more than enough of a sample of the nation. Here are some of the findings and a little bit of my own opinion mixed in.
First, you should know that out of 4016 people surveyed, 4% have or had cancer themselves and 32% have an immediate family member who has or had cancer. That’s significant because you would think that those 36% would be acutely knowledgeable about risk factors for cancer, yet they are not.
Second, Only 31% of Americans recognize that obesity is a risk factor for cancer. Now, truth be told, I didn’t immediately put together obesity as a direct cause for cancer either, but it is linked to 13 different types of cancer. Included in the 13 types are Pancreatic, Kidney, Breast cancer, Myeloma, Ovarian cancer, Liver cancer, and more. My hope is that even if we’re unaware of the fact that obesity, now the 2nd biggest preventable cause of cancer (about to become #1 and take over smoking), hopefully the multitude of other health problems obesity causes would be reason enough to keep a healthy weight. Remember, all you healthy people out there, we are going to have to pay for the mess that these people get themselves into. I know that sounds cruel, but remember what happened when we stopped smoking in public places. Soon we’ll have to begin limiting the amount people eat.
Third, we have to give credit where credit is due. 78% of Americans recognize that smoking causes cancer. What the heck is going on with the other 22%? Have they been living under a rock for the past 3 decades? And possibly even worse only 66% believe that sun exposure is a major risk factor. I know I’m sounding crazy here, but come on people, get educated! Therein lies the problem, we can’t expect other people to do anything, frankly, so it’s up to those of us who care about our health and wellbeing to educate as many people as possible.
Fourth, fewer than half of Americans are taking steps to prevent or reduce their cancer risk. Here are the numbers: 48% use sunblock; 48% limit sun exposure; 48% exercise regularly; 41% maintain a healthy weight; and 38% limit alcohol consumption. Once again, what the heck is going on with the rest of the country? Well, we need to help them and help them quickly!
Fifth, here is even more sobering numbers regarding the cost of care for those with cancer. 91% of people say the cost is too high. That’s good news! Of the 1 in 4 who have or had, or have someone close to them who has or had cancer a few startling facts: 9% skipped doctors appointments; 8% refused treatment [because they couldn’t pay for it!!!]; 8% postponed filling or did not fill prescriptions; 8% skipped prescribed doses to save money; and 7% cut pills in half.
What I haven’t told you is that my younger brother, who is alive and well today, was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 7 years young. He went through a brutal 3 year protocol, visiting the hospital sometimes 3 days a week. As a family, we got to know many children who were going through similar treatments. Not all the children survived, my brother was and is one of the lucky ones. It’s not easy for a family to go through something that horrific and I’m sure it’s even harder and more expensive in today’s world. We were barely able to make ends meat and pay for my brother’s medications. We had all kinds of fundraisers to help my family pay for Charlie’s treatment. Again, we were one of the lucky families. Many of the children didn’t make it through those 3 years of chemo and radiation alive.
This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about sharing this topic and just about any topic on living healthy I come across. You can die. We’re all doing to die, yes, but you have the option to give yourself a few more healthy years if you take some easy steps.
One final data point from the survey that shows most people don’t care to take those steps. Only 49% of people are interested in cancer prevention, yet 92% believe the government should help with the costs of treatment. This shows how lazy and irresponsible people are for their own actions. Please, please, please, take responsibility for your own health. Get yourself well, be strong, and believe in yourself. You can be healthy, you can be fit. We all have the potential to live an amazing life, it’s up to you to unlock that potential. I’m always here to help in you need a little push, find me @teddymcdonald, but please don’t wallow in your sorrows and rot to death.
Originally published on the author’s website.