Study reveals need for community action
by Brian Shults, reporter

    Cancer accounts for 23 percent of deaths among Texans, making it the second leading cause of death in the state, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

    After a year-long study of Tarrant County cancer-related services, the ACS identified several problems, prompting a call for a community-wide response to reduce cancer illnesses and deaths.

    The goal of ACS’ Vision 2015 is to reduce cancer cases by 25 percent and slash mortality rates by 50 percent by the year 2015. According to an ACS estimate, the initiative can save 4.9 million lives nationwide.

    These statistics and goals were released during a news conference by Allen Henderson, a member of the Fort Worth and Texas division board of directors and the ACS National Assembly.

    Cancer deaths in America are declining for the first time in history, inspiring ACS to double efforts.

    “Reaching these goals is critical to the 600,000 people in Tarrant County who are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime,” Henderson said.

    The ACS is urging partnerships between local health institutions to stress the importance of detection and prevention, according to Donna Rankin, the Fort Worth ACS executive director.

    Virtually two-thirds of all cancers are related to unhealthy lifestyles such as tobacco and alcohol use, poor nutrition and lack of exercise.

    Education is another method of prevention. However, Texas students receive only 10-15 minutes of health education a week. Also, many health teachers lack specific training in that subject.

    Students and adults must stay informed and make regular check-ups.

    Common forms of cancer include lung, breast, prostate and colon. Studies show that Tarrant County males are prone to die more frequently from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma while lung and bronchus cancer mortality rates are higher in females than elsewhere in the state.

    Findings indicate that black and Hispanic men are at a greater risk of dying from colorectal cancer, and Caucasian women have the highest incidence of breast cancer.

     The American Cancer Society can be reached at 1-800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org.