A recent national survey looks at people’s perceptions of cancer.
The survey found that while many people know tobacco and exposure to the sun are risks of cancer, they don’t understand that obesity is a risk.
Experts said that within the next 20 to 30 years, obesity will be the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths.
Dr. Bruce Johnson is the President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
“One of the things that concerned us is that a quarter of the people because of concerns about the finances of getting treated, would end up skipping doctors appointments, postponing or not filling prescriptions, and cutting pills in half to reduce the cost and people shouldn’t have to worry about what their income is to be able to receive the best cancer care.”
Johnson said the purpose of the survey is meant to provide information on how people can take steps in avoiding cancer as opposed to just treating it after already having it.
“More than 90 percent of people believe that substantial government funding should go into the diagnosis prevention and treatment because it’s relatively important, and even 73 percent think the government should spend more, even if it means higher taxes or adding to the deficit.”
Johnson said roughly 4000 people were surveyed nationwide.