National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week
The American Cancer Society Encourages All Californians to Take Action to Save Lives from Cancer
National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week Empowers Diverse Communities to Support Attend Local Cancer Conference on April 21 and Support Prop 29 to Discourage Youth Smoking and Curb $9.14 billion Annual Tobacco-related Health Care Cost to California Taxpayers
During National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week April 15-21 the American Cancer Society focuses on diverse communities to reduce the impact of cancer by hosting a free cancer conference on April 21 in the Inland Empire; providing free resources, information and patient services; funding groundbreaking research; and empowering volunteers to support Proposition 29. The “Living Smart Cancer Awareness” conference on Sat., April 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside is free, and hosted by the Society’s African American Community Outreach Committee.
If passed, Prop 29 will add $1 to the tobacco tax, save 80,000 lives, prompt 120,000 adults to quit smoking and prevent 144,000 children from starting.
“To help reduce cancer risk from smoking, the Society urges all Californians to vote ‘yes’ on Prop 29 on the June 5, 2012 ballot,” said Clifford Eke, MD, a surgeon at Kaiser Fontana and volunteer president of the American Cancer Society in California. “We want our friends and neighbors to join us in supporting this life-saving proposition. By voting ‘yes’ on Prop 29 you may save the life of someone you love.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, ethnically diverse populations constitute nearly 60% of the state’s population, making California one of the most multicultural states in the country. National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer prevention and early detection among these many communities that are the face of California.
In 2012, approximately 144,800 Californians will be diagnosed with cancer. One in four deaths in California is from cancer. Lung cancer alone kills over 13,000 Californians each year, more than prostate, breast, and colon and rectum cancers combined. About 85% of lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoking. However, many other cancers are caused by tobacco as well. Overall, one out of every three cancer deaths is due to tobacco.
Nearly two-thirds of all cancer deaths can be prevented through regularly scheduled screenings, by maintaining a healthy weight and diet, regular physical activity and quitting tobacco use. However, diverse populations continue to have lower screening rates; report less than the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days per week; and eat fewer fruits, vegetables and whole grains. For free cancer information or to request support services go to cancer.org or call 1.800.227.2345.
To RSVP for the “Living Smart Cancer Conference” call (951) 680-9406. For information about Prop 29 volunteer opportunities including phone banking in your community visit: californiansforacure.org or find us on Facebook.com/californiansforacure.
