Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Month

Last month, the Santa Clarita chapter of the American Cancer Society hosted its largest fundraising event, Relay For Life, with the goal of finding a cure for cancer. This month, we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Month during which hundreds of communities nationwide honor survivors, encourage those recently diagnosed, and advocate for research funding. Sunday, June 5, marks the 35th annual National Cancer Survivors Day which raises awareness of the ongoing challenges that cancer survivors face and celebrates their survivorship. 
Since cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease, public awareness of cancer is essential. About 1.9 million new cancer cases are expected to occur in the in 2022. The good news is that more than 16.9 million people in the United States are cancer survivors. According to American Cancer Society, the risk of dying from cancer in the United States has decreased over the past 28 years. The combined cancer death rate for men and women fell 32% from its peak in 1991 to 2019.
According to Rebecca L. Sigel, Scientific Director of Surveillance Information at the American Cancer Society, “The success in declining death rate is due to a combination of cancer prevention strategies—including vaccinations and education programs about healthy eating, exercising, and not smoking; improvements in screening and early detection; and advances in cancer treatment.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, by 2030, the number of cancer survivors is projected to increase by 31.4%, to 22.2 million. Over the next decade, the number of people who have lived 5 or more years after their cancer diagnosis is projected to increase approximately 33%, to 15.1 million.
The American Cancer Society has invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946 to find more effective treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. Services including free rides to cancer patients’ treatment appointments, places to stay when treatment is delivered far from home, and a 24/7 live chat service also contribute to the growing numbers of survivors.
Please join ACS in celebrating survivorship milestones and working toward a world free from cancer.
For further information visit cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.