Overview of Conclusions
As our population ages, cancer will be of even greater concern. The changing demographics among the racial/ethnic groups coupled with cultural and economic barriers will affect the strategies needed in the battle against cancer.Prevention is key, and the education of health professionals and persons with high-risk behavior is paramount. Great strides have been made in the treatment of cancer. Screening and early detection techniques are steadily improving, and survival rates, especially for localized cancers, are increasing.
Advances in fields such as molecular epidemiology (the study of individual genetic susceptibility for various cancers) and the introduction of chemoprevention techniques to reverse the development of cancer have opened exciting new vistas. However, the altering of the high-risk behaviors, especially the use of tobacco products, will remain as one of the most important factors in the war on cancer. The sixth edition of the Impact of Cancer on Texas is an effective weapon for assessing our position and planning future strategies.
