HHS HealthBeat (October 17, 2008)

Two-point-four million cases

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Tobacco use accounted for 2.4 million cases of cancer between 1999 and 2004, according to an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study looked at 10 cancers linked to tobacco. Lung cancer accounted for nearly half of the cases.

Other causes, such as genetics, could also be tied to some of the cancers, but the study in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says tobacco use is a chief reason for all the cancers in the report.

Researcher Sherri Stewart says nonsmokers should avoid secondhand smoke, and smokers should reach for help in quitting:

``There are more scientifically  proven tools available for helping people to quit than ever before, which include medications and counseling.’’ (7 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: October, 17 2008