The first case of cancer was documented in Egypt in 1500 B.C. At that time, the believed cause of Cancer was the Gods and it was treated with a hot instrument called “the fire drill” to destroy the affected tissue. It was the Greek physician, Hippocrates, who used the Greek words carcinos and carcinoma to describe tumors, thus naming Cancer as we know it today. (Source: Cancer History by Lisa Fayed) Though he developed the name, Hippocrates believed the cause of cancer was excessive black bile in the body. It was not until the 19th Century that strides towards cancer treatments and finding the cause of cancer began.
Throughout the centuries we have been collecting research and data to help us fight the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Here are some of the most recent facts and statistics about Cancer:
Facts and Statistics:
- Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. (DoSomething.org)
- It is estimated that 1.48 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2009. (RTAnswers.org)
- There are more deaths from cancer every year than deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. (DoSomething.org)
- Not using tobacco is the best way to prevent certain cancers such as lung, throat, mouth, pancreas, bladder, stomach, liver and kidney. (DoSomething.org)
- Second hand smoke can cause lung cancer. (DoSomething.org)
- The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 40% of all cancers are preventable by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and not using tobacco. (DoSomething.org)
- There are more than 100 types of cancers; any part of the body can be affected. (WHO)
- The 4 most prevalent cancers in the U.S. are (in order of cases): prostate, breast, lung and colorectal. (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)
- The 4 most prevalent cancers seen at Moore Regional Hospital are (in order of cases): lung, breast, prostate and colorectal. (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., with over 2 million cases diagnosed every year. (Cancer Facts & Figures 2012 by American Cancer Society)
- 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 55 (RTAnswers.org)
- 74% of cases at Moore Regional Hospital are over 60 (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)
- Women with no children or have their first pregnancy after the age of 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. (Global Cancer Facts & Figures by American Cancer Society)
- Overall, cancer rates are higher for whites and blacks than for Asian/Pacific Islanders. (RTAnswers.org)
- Approximately 5% of cancers are hereditary. (RTAnswers.org)
- Relative survival rates have risen to 66% in 2002, up from 51% in 1977. (RTAnswers.org)
- About 11.1 million Americans are cancer survivors. (RTAnswers.org)
- 28 million survivors worldwide (Global Cancer Facts & Figures by American Cancer Society 2011)
New research and clinical trials happen all the time and facts and figures are always changing. If you are interest in participating in a clinical trial for cancer research please call (910) 715-2200.
FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s FirstHealth Cancer Services offers cancer treatment and support to patients and survivors in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond.
