Healthy
Lifestyle
Report: Pennsylvania needs to do more to prevent, fight cancer

Report: Pennsylvania needs to do more to prevent, fight cancer

Written by  Craig Layne
  • Bookmark and Share

(Harrisburg) -- A new report from the American Cancer Society finds Pennsylvania is like most states in that it falls short when it comes to fighting the causes of cancer.

The commonwealth only gets top marks for its tobacco tax rates.

The Cancer Action Network report gives Pennsylvania low marks on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.

Spokeswoman Laura Weis says the state also scores poorly for physical education time requirements, which can help in cancer prevention.

"One in three cancer deaths is due to factors relating to poor nutrition and physical inactivity," Weis says.

The report gives the commonwealth low grades for tanning bed restrictions, because over-exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer.

The state's smoking ban only gets moderate marks because many locations are not covered by the law.

The Cancer Society also docks the commonwealth for an uptick in the use of smokeless tobacco.

Please visit witf's Facing Cancer Together project for more cancer resources and stories.

comments  

 
#1 langhorne pa orthope 2014-08-25 22:24
Pennsylvania legislators should create and implement more laws to help in smoking cessation and cancer prevention for the health and welfare of their people. I hope everyone there will do their share no matter how big or small to help this advocacy.

langhorne pa orthopedics
 

A message from the Facing Cancer Together team: We invite you to join us in this community partnership. Share. Connect. Learn. No matter how cancer has affected you, our multimedia tools can help you gain confidence in your choices. In the coming months, this site will evolve with your participation. Meet the team!

Sponsored by

witf Lancaster General Health Pinnacle Health System Wellspan
witf Pinnacle Health System Wellspan Lancaster General Health
witf Wellspan Lancaster General Health Pinnacle Health System