What to Know
- An astounding number of people have been diagnosed annually in New York City with cancer, to the point that they could fill MSG — twice!
- More than 40,000 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with cancer every year between 2011 and 2015, the report says
- The report was released by the American Cancer Society Action Network
An astounding number of people have been diagnosed annually in New York City with cancer, to the point that they could fill Madison Square Garden — twice.
A new report released Thursday by the American Cancer Society Action Network reveals that more than 40,000 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with cancer every year between 2011 and 2015.
Nearly every New Yorker from every neighborhood has been touched by cancer in some way.” Michael Davoli, director of Metro New York government relations of ACS CAN, said in a statement. “This report demonstrates that we know how to reduce the cancer burden in New York City, if only we have the will to do so.”
Lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers make up nearly 50 percent of all cancer cases in New York City, and almost 50 percent of all cancer deaths in the city, according to the new report entitled “Reducing the Cancer Burden In New York City.” Specifically, lung and bronchus cancer is the single largest cause of cancer death, causing nearly 2,700 deaths yearly from 2011 to 2015. Meanwhile, female breast cancer is New York City's most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and prostate cancer the most common among men during the same time period.
In total, between 2011 and 2015, 12,453 New Yorkers succumbed to the disease annually.
The report was compiled using data from the New York State Cancer Registry in an effort to find trends in cancer cases and deaths to inform policymakers on how to prevent new diagnoses, increase access to quality cancer treatment, reduce disparities in occurrences and mortality as well as enhance the quality of life for those suffering from the disease.
Local
The report determined that cancer cases and deaths differ greatly among boroughs and the neighborhoods making up New York City, reflecting the diverse socioeconomic and demographic characteristics across the Big Apple.
Staten Island had the highest cancer incident rate of all the boroughs. Meanwhile, the Morris Heights, Fordham South and Mount Hope area of the Bronx had the highest cancer rates of all neighborhoods among men. The Tottenville, Great Kills and Annadale area of Staten Island had the highest cancer rates of all neighborhoods among women.
The report includes policy recommendations on how to tackle cancer in New York City. Among the recommendations are: restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products including menthol and electronic cigarettes, investing in programs to improve access to affordable healthy foods in neighborhoods with limited options, requiring that healthy drinks are the default options on kids’ menus in restaurants, increasing funding for cancer screening programs, and launching a campaign to increase HPV vaccination rates.
