DCPC Works: Special Issue About Tobacco and Cancer

New:

Vital Signs: Disparities in tobacco-related cancer incidence and mortality—United States, 2004–2013

Resources to Share

• Fact sheet (PDF-2.3MB)
• Graphics: Tobacco use causes cancer throughout the body and tobacco-related cancers are higher among some groups
• Graphics: Prevent cancer deaths from tobacco use and CDC funds 65 comprehensive cancer control programs
• Podcast
• Public service announcement
• Digital press kit

Vital Signs: Cancer and Tobacco Use

This month's Vital Signs report focuses on cancers that are linked to tobacco use. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths, causing at least 12 types of cancer throughout the body.

Key points in the Vital Signs report include:

• Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and cancer deaths.
• Each year, 660,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with, and 343,000 people die of, cancers related to tobacco use.
• We have made progress: about 1.3 million cases of tobacco-related cancer have been avoided since 1990. But not all population groups have benefitted equally.
• People are still dying from tobacco-related cancers, and some groups of people have a higher burden of tobacco-related cancers than others.
• States, territories, and tribes can help by supporting comprehensive cancer control programs, protecting non-smokers from secondhand tobacco smoke in indoor public areas, and improving access to cessation programs for those who want to quit.

To reduce rates of tobacco-related cancers, states and communities can:

• Support comprehensive cancer control programs focusing on cancer prevention, education, screening, quality of care, support for cancer survivors, and good health for all.
• Fund comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs at CDC-recommended levels.
• Make tobacco cessation services more available to people who want to quit.
• Protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke in all indoor public places and worksites, including all restaurants, bars, and casinos.

Participate and Learn More

Look for CDC's new Vital Signs materials, and join the discussion on social media using the hashtag #VitalSigns.

Learn what actions other states have taken to address tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers by joining the Vital Signs Town Hall Teleconference on Tuesday, November 15 at 2:00 pm EST. Call 1 (800) 857-0764 (USA only) and enter participant code 795-4413.