I was reading an article on CNN and it mentioned that cancer was ranked #1 as the top killer of Americans. It took the place of the previous #1 which was Heart Disease. There seems to be more treatments for heart disease causing a decrease in the death rate.

It just goes to show how much smoking and fast food we consume. Im a ex-smoker and it was five years ago when I decided to start seriously exercising. I really do feel the difference. When are people going to learn that a proper diet, exercise, and quitting smoking can reduce the risks by over 50%. I’ve lost so many family members due to cancer is not even funny.

An estimated 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,260 cancer deaths are expected this year. Five-year survival rates have risen from 50 percent in the 1970s to 74 percent today.

Lung cancer remains the biggest killer, projected to claim 163,510 lives this year.

Some 232,090 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it will kill 30,350.

About 211,240 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it will kill 40,410.

The report also highlights cancers caused by germs – 1.5 million cases or 26 percent of cancers in developing countries; and 360,000 cases or 7.3 percent of cancers in developed countries such as the United States.

These are mostly liver cancer, caused by the hepatitis B and C viruses; cervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus; stomach cancer, caused by H. pylori bacteria; and AIDS-related cancers, caused by infection with HIV.

More at the American Cancer Society.