Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy (Onassis)
(1929-1994)

LINKS ON THIS PAGE
Background
Selected Achievements
Cancer and Leading Causes of Death
Tips to Reduce Your Risk for Cancer
Related Links

Background

Born in Southampton, New York in 1929, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier grew to be an influential woman. Jacqueline enjoyed reading, writing poems and stories, and riding horses. She attended the best private schools and was named "Debutante of the Year" for the 1947-1948 season. In 1951, Jacqueline won the Vogue Prix de Paris writing contest. She studied at Vassar College before she earned a degree in French literature from George Washington University. After college, Jacqueline worked for the Washington Times-Herald as the "Inquiring Camera Girl."

Jacqueline married John F. Kennedy on September 12, 1953. She had a strong interest in historical preservation and the arts. Over time, she became well known for her style and grace.

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy served as First Lady from 1961 to 1963. From 1978 to 1994, she worked as an editor for Doubleday specializing in nonfiction books. She died on May 19, 1994 of cancer.

Selected Achievements

• Established the White House Library and Rose Garden
• Created a White House Fine Arts Committee to guide the restoration of the White House
• Oversaw the publication of a visitor's guidebook to the White House

Cancer and Leading Causes of Death

Mrs. Kennedy died of cancer in 1994. At that time, cancer was, and still is, the second leading cause of death in the United States. In 2001, 553,768 people died of cancer in the United States. Among women, breast cancer is the leading cancer, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.

Tips to Reduce Your Risk for Cancer

• Get Screened.
  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/*
  Screening tests can help detect and diagnose abnormal conditions or cancer early, when more treatment options may be available. Recommended cancer screenings for women include those for breast cancer (mammograms), cervical cancer (Pap tests), and colorectal cancer.
   
• Be smoke-free.
  http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm*
  To reduce your risk for lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, and reproductive health problems, don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid second-hand smoke, which can also increase risk for these diseases and conditions.
   
• Maintain a healthy weight.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/*
  Overweight and obese individuals are at an increased risk for physical ailments, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
   
• Get moving.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/*
  Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week is recommended.
   
• Eat healthy.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition*
  Watch how much you eat, cut down on saturated fats, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables daily.
   
• See your health care provider.
  Talk with your health care provider if you have a family history of or risk factors for cancer. Seek medical attention if you notice any bodily changes, including: lumps in your breast; unexplained weight loss; change in bowel habits; sores that do not heal; indigestion or difficulty swallowing; changes in moles; and/or unusual bleeding or discharge.

Related Links

Breast Cancer and Mammography Information
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/info-bc.htm

Cervical Cancer and Pap Test Information
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/info-cc.htm

Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Prevention and Early Detection
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/

Deaths: Leading Causes for 2001*
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr52/nvsr52_03.pdf

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy*
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/jk35.html (Non-CDC site)

Latest Cancer Incidence Report Shows Prostate Leading Cancer Among Men, Breast Cancer Leads for Women*
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r031113.htm

New Report on Declining Cancer Incidence and Death Rates: Report Shows Progress in Controlling Cancer*
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/98news/cancer.htm

Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences*
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/consequences.htm

Signs and Symptoms of Cancer*
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_What_are_the_signs_
and_symptoms_of_cancer.asp?sitearea=CRI (Non-CDC Site)

Taking Action Against Secondhand Smoke: An Online Toolkit
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/ETS_Toolkit/

U.S. Cancer Statistics- 2000 Incidence Report: Report Facts and Major Findings*
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/npcr/uscs/2000/users_guide/facts.htm

Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_forwomen/ataglance.htm

*Used as a source for this Web page.