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CANCER PROGRAM

According to the National Cancer Institute, as much as 80 percent of all cancers are caused due to identified factors, and thus are potentially preventable. It is estimated that only 5 to 10 percent of all cancer cases are inherited.

Cancer risk can be drastically reduced by adopting healthier lifestyles such as end tobacco use, increase physical activity, maintain healthy weight, have a low fat diet, and avoid sun exposure.

Regular screening and self examination for certain cancers may not prevent cancer but it can increase your chances of discovering cancer early when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Montgomery County Cancer Crusade
Targeted Cancer Screening Schedule with normal findings
(Might be more frequent for those with a higher risk or family history)

Cancer	Age	Frequency	Type of Screening
Breast	40 yrs +	Annual	Mammogram
Cervical	40 yrs +	Annual	Pap Test
Colorectal	50 yrs +	Every 10 yrs	Colonoscopy
Oral	18 yrs +	Annual	Oral Cancer Exam
Prostate	40 yrs +	Annual	Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) & Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood test

FACTS ABOUT CANCER IN MARYLAND *

According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Cancer Report 2006:

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Maryland, responsible for 23.6% of all deaths; 10,395 cancer deaths occurred in 2002.
• Males have higher incidence and mortality rates than females.
• Black males have the highest mortality rates, white females the lowest.
• Over 26,000 Marylanders were diagnosed with cancer in the year 2002, and more than 10,000 died from this disease.
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women, accounting for 28.5% of all cancer deaths.
• Tobacco use is the primary cause of lung cancer; tobacco smoking causes 90% of lung cancer in males and 78% of lung cancer in females.
• Colorectal Cancer is second leading cause of cancer death in Maryland.

Cancer in Montgomery County (data obtained for 2002) *

• 1,229 people died of cancer in Montgomery County.
• 327 were diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer and 262 died from this disease.
• 111 died of colorectal cancer.
• 1,667 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• 575 Montgomery County residents had breast cancer and 100 died from this disease.
• 717 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 79 died from this disease.
• 345 were diagnosed with oral cancer and 20 died from this disease.

* Data obtained from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Cancer Report 2006, Cigarette Restitution Fund – Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening and Treatment Program – www.dhmh.state.md.us