Opportunities for Cancer Prevention During Older Adulthood

CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control proudly announces a sponsored supplemental, free-to-view, issue of The Gerontologist, focusing on ways to reduce cancer risk during older adulthood.

More than two-thirds of all new cancers are diagnosed in adults aged 60 years and older. The number of new cancer cases are likely to increase as the number of adults living to older ages continues to increase. In 2015, over 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer. By 2030, that number is expected to reach over 2.1 million.

Cancer is usually caused by many factors over time. This means that even later in life, there may be opportunities to prevent or delay the onset of new cancers. Research suggests that more can be done to reduce cancer risk and maintain health as adults enter their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

Study Shows Sunburn is Common Among U.S. Adults

Sunburn indicates an overexposure to UV rays and is associated with an increased risk for melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer. A new study looks at how often adults in the United States experienced sunburns during 2005, 2010, and 2015 using data from the National Health Interview Survey. Each year, more than one third of adults experienced sunburn. Study results showed that a higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults experienced sunburn compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Among all adults, sunburn increased significantly during 2005 to 2010. Groups with significant increases in sunburn included adults aged 50-59 years old and 60-69-years old, non-Hispanic whites, women, and those living in the South. More efforts are needed to help communities adopt strategies and programs to reduce UV exposure and increase sun protection.

New Blog Post Shares CDC's Work Responding to Liver Cancer Increases

For several years, liver cancer in the United States has been increasing. Many liver cancer cases are related to infections from the hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, but most people are not aware of their infection. A new blog post looks at CDC’s role in changing this trend and reducing liver cancer. CDC recommendations for people at high risk include getting the hepatitis B vaccine, and testing and medical care for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. CDC’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program helps cancer program members put prevention strategies in action for high-risk liver cancer populations, such as those in the Cherokee Nation and Idaho. In response to the opioid epidemic, which has led to more people who inject drugs (PWID), and increased risk of new viral hepatitis infections, CDC is committed to expanding its work in liver cancer prevention to help these groups.

New Grant Opportunity Focuses on Helping Breast Cancer Patients Benefit Equally

Over the last decade, the risk of getting breast cancer has not changed for women overall, but black women have a higher risk of death from breast cancer than white women. Pfizer Global Medical Grants and the American Cancer Society are collaborating to offer a request for proposals for an “Integrated Approach to Breast Health Equity.“ This community grant opportunity focuses on improving outcomes for all patients facing breast cancer. The goal of this project is to reduce the growing gap in breast cancer deaths between black and white women. The letter of intent is due June 17, 2019, and the full proposal is due September 12, 2019.

Did You Know?

Liver cancer incidence (new cases) is higher among men compared to women. In 2015, there were 9,352 new cases of liver cancer reported in women, and 23,556 new cases reported in men.
The most common kinds of cancer among women in the U.S. are skin, breast, lung, colorectal, and uterine.