Did you know that smoking-related diseases remain the world's most preventable cause of death. Did you also know that half of all those who continue to smoke will die from smoking-related diseases? Smoking accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths. An estimated 43.4 million Americans currently smoke cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco is not considered a safe way to reduce smoking or quitting smoking and in fact it will rather increase than decrease the risk of lung cancer. Cigar smoking has health consequences similar to those of cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 5.4 million smoking-related premature deaths worldwide each year. The trend in smoking is decreasing but we need to seek to prevent the initiation of tobacco use and promote quitting at all ages and eliminate secondhand exposure.
Why am I talking about tobacco use in a breast cancer site? I am featuring this today because smoking related diseases are preventable and it is important that we all look to better avenues for our health and for our families. It is great to share this time and information with you and more can be found if you go to ACS : cancer facts and figures 2009.
February 4 is World Cancer Day—a global day of awareness created by the International Union Against Cancer. With cancer set to become the #1 killer in the world this year, the day brings us together to highlight the growing personal and economic impact of the disease. On this day it’s critical that each organization—and each individual—share responsibility for sending a powerful message about cancer prevention.
Make it a great day!
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