8. Prevent and Detect Cancer
While cancer death rates have fallen by nearly 30% since 1994, cancer still accounts for a large proportion of all deaths in New York City: one-quarter of the nearly 53,000 deaths in 2009 were due to cancer.21 Cancer-related illness and deaths can be decreased significantly by reducing smoking and obesity, improving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, and detecting and treating cancer and pre-cancerous conditions early.
Two major cancers – colorectal and cervical – are preventable. Colonoscopies, Pap tests, and HPV vaccination, all of which are underused in New York City, are critical for prevention. The Health Department continues its efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening among people 50 years and older and to promote routine HPV vaccination for adolescent girls.
DOHMH: Cancer Program
