Joint effort announced to prevent 4 big diseases

The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and the American Heart Association today announced a unified set of health recommendations for the public—and joint screening guidelines for physicians—to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

“This is the first time in history that these organizations have joined forces to combat all four diseases,” Dr. Ralph B. Vance, president of the American Cancer Society, said during press briefing Tuesday, adding that these four diseases account for nearly two out of every three deaths annually in the U.S.

The three-year advocacy, public and professional health education campaign entitled “Everyday Choices for a Healthier Life,” will deliver four simple health messages to the public: First, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. Second, be physically active (30 minutes per day 5 days per week). Third, don’t smoke and avoid being around others who are smoking; and fourth, see a physician regularly to assess your personal health risks.

“These four everyday choices we believe have epic power to lower the risk of becoming one of the 1.5 million Americans who lose their lives to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke each year,” said John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society and moderator of a press briefing.

For physicians, the three agencies have developed a single set of evidence-based, cost-effective recommendations for prevention and early detection of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. These recommendations include the following:

For men and women:

- Blood pressure measurement - every 2 years starting at age 20.

- Body mass index (BMI) measurement - at each regular checkup starting at age 20.

- Blood cholesterol level - at least every 5 years starting at age 20.

- Blood glucose test - every 3 years starting at age 45.

- Colorectal screen - every 1 to 10 years depending on the test used, starting at age 50.

For women:

- Clinical breast exam - starting at age 20, every 3 years; yearly after 40.

- Mammography - yearly starting at age 40.

- Pap Test - yearly starting at age 20; every 1-3 years after age 30.

For men

- PSA testing and digital rectal exam to be discussed with patients at age 50.

The complete ACS/AHA/ADS Scientific Statement: Preventing Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diabetes is published in the June 15th rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the July issue of Diabetes Care, and the July/August issue of the American Cancer Society’s CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

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