Adult Cancers

In the United States, males have a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer; females have a 1 in 3 lifetime risk. In Georgia at least 35,600 new cancer cases will be diagnosed – about 97 cases per day – resulting in 14,400 deaths (2008 data). Since occurrence of cancer increases as individuals age, most cancers affect adults who are middle-aged or older.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Georgia.

Nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths can be linked to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, diet, obesity and lack of physical activity.

The burden of cancer can be significantly reduced by appropriate use of mammography, colorectal screening and by other early detection examinations and by preventing or stopping tobacco use, improving diet and increasing physical activity.

Breast, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum cancers account for 55% of all new cancer cases among females in Georgia.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence among females in Georgia.

Prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum cancers account for 56% of all new cancer cases among males in Georgia.

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence among males in Georgia.