(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- About 80 percent of cancer diagnoses occur in the
elderly, but many of their risk factors for the disease are behavioral, a new
study revealed.
The Duke University study was done to estimate the impact measurable risk
factors have on cancer in the elderly. It revealed more than 80 percent of known
risk factors in individuals 65 years of age or older are potentially
preventable.
Some of the risk factor/cancer links were similar to those found in The National
Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS). Physical activity especially impacted colon and
prostate cancers. Tobacco use was also significantly linked to lung cancer.
Surprisingly, cancer risk was not related to alcohol consumption, which other
studies have shown.
Interestingly, while all patients in the study were covered by Medicare,
researchers found cancer and mortality risk was impacted by their specific
Medicare plan.
“The situation when additional payments have to be made out-of-pocket is the
worst in respect to cancer and mortality risk,” Igor Akushevich, Ph.D., senior
research scientist, Center for Population Health and Aging at Duke University in
Durham, N.C., was quoted as saying. “The problem is more important for lung and
colon cancers.”
Other interesting findings were women who were afraid to visit the doctor for an
assessment of potential health problems had an increased risk for breast cancer.
In addition, those who never lose their temper had a lower risk of breast and
lung cancer.
Researchers say more studies need to be done before the findings can be applied
to clinical settings.
SOURCE: Research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s
Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention
Research, November 16 - 19, 2008, Washington, D.C.
