Health:Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity Make up 40 percent of Cancers in USA

Cancers Associated with Overweight and Obesity Make up 40 percent of Cancers Diagnosed in the United States Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of 13 types of cancer. These cancers account for about 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States in 2014, according to the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Overall, the rate of new cancer cases has decreased since the 1990s, but increases in overweight- and obesity-related cancers are likely slowing this progress. About 630,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with a cancer associated with overweight and obesity in 2014. About 2 in 3 occurred in adults 50- to 74-years-old. The rates of obesity-related cancers, not including colorectal cancer, increased by 7 percent between 2005 and 2014. The rates of non-obesity related cancers declined during that time. “A majority of American adults weigh more than recommended – and being overweight or obese puts people at higher risk for a number of cancers – so these findings are a cause for concern,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. “By getting to and keeping a healthy weight, we all can play a role in cancer prevention.” Key findings regarding cancer types associated with overweight and obesity: • 55 percent of all cancers diagnosed in women and 24 percent of those diagnosed in men are associated with overweight and obesity. • Non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites had higher incidence rates compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Black males and American Indian/Alaska Native males had higher incidence rates than white males. • Cancers associated with overweight and obesity, excluding colorectal cancer, increased 7 percent between 2005-2014.  Colorectal cancer decreased 23 percent, due in large part to screening. Cancers not associated with overweight and obesity decreased 13 percent. • Cancers associated with overweight and obesity, excluding colorectal cancer, increased among adults younger than age 75. NewsELA History-making Bahamas hurricane leaves thousands stranded FREEPORT, Bahamas — Hurricane Dorian pounded away at the islands that make up the Bahamas on Tuesday, September 3. It stayed over the Bahamas for a day and a half. The storm damaged thousands of homes, trapped people in attics and destroyed hospitals.  At least 20 deaths were reported, with the full extent of the damage not known. The United Nations (U.N.) and the International Red Cross prepared to help after the strongest hurricane on record ever to hit the Bahamas made landfall. The Bahamas are 50 miles from Florida. Airport Under 6 Feet Of Water Dorian's winds and rain battered the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. They have a combined population of about 70,000. They are known as a place to go on vacation. The Grand Bahama airport was under 6 feet of water. Officials received many calls from people in flooded homes. Callers left messages with radio stations as they tried to find loved ones. One station said it got reports of a baby stranded on a roof and a woman with six grandchildren who cut a hole in a roof to escape the rising water. At least two storm shelters flooded. The U.S. Coast Guard airlifted at least 21 people injured on Abaco. Rescuers also used jet skis to reach people. Duane Sands is the Bahamas' health minister. He said, "We are hoping and praying that the loss of life is limited." Tammy Mitchell works for the Bahamas' National Emergency Management Agency. She said that police were working on calls for help. However, rescue crews had to turn back sometimes because of strong winds and high water, she said. "We wanted to go out there" but could not take that risk, she said. "We don't want people thinking we've forgotten them." Ahead of the storm, more than 2 million people in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina were warned to leave as Dorian approached Florida. The storm was expected to go up the coast. Later, the storm was predicted to miss Florida. However, it was expected to go close to South Carolina. Then it might hit North Carolina, on Thursday, September 5, or Friday, September 6, the National Hurricane Center said. Close To Half Of Homes Destroyed In the Bahamas, Red Cross worker Matthew Cochrane said more than 13,000 houses in Grand Bahama and Abaco were believed to have been severely damaged or destroyed. That is close to half of the homes there. U.N. officials said more than 60,000 people will need food. The Red Cross said 62,000 will need drinking water. The Red Cross authorized a half-million dollars for the first round of disaster relief, Cochrane said. Leaving one person dead in Puerto Rico, Dorian hit the Bahamas on Sunday, September 1, with winds of 185 mph. Gusts went up to 220 mph. The storm tied the record for the strongest Atlantic storm ever to hit land. It matched the Labor Day hurricane that struck the Florida Gulf Coast in 1935. Storms were not given names then. It was reported that Dorian had dumped as much as 35 inches of rain.  Sands said that severe flooding closed the main hospital on Grand Bahama. A hospital in the Abaco Islands was sheltering 400 people, he said. However, it needed food and medical supplies.  Scientists say that climate change has fueled stronger storms. However, they say that linking a specific hurricane to global warming would require more study. There have been efforts to slow global warming by limiting the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are natural fuels like oil, gas and wood. Burning them creates greenhouse gases, which cause global warming. In Georgia, Joey Spalding saw storms hit his home in 2016 and 2017. He decided to empty his house this time.  Spalding packed a truck with his belongings and planned to park it on higher ground. He also planned to wrap his house in plastic. "I don't have to come into a house full of junk," he said. "I'm learning a little as I go."