News

It’s no surprise that many people who smoke want to quit. Smoking-related illness is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. It results in 85% of lung cancer cases in the country and causes 480,000 deaths every year. More than 37.8 million Americans continue to smoke tobacco every day, and about 70% of those people say they want to stop. But quitting smoking is not easy. More than 90% of smokers who quit successfully needed help to get there.

Did you know men are less likely than women to see a primary care physician? Men are also more prone to certain types of cancer. For Men’s Health Month in June, we’re highlighting some actions men can take to protect their health.

Many individuals put their own health aside as they care for others and try to keep up with their busy lives. National Women’s Health Week serves as a reminder for women—and everyone—to make their health a priority.

The first week of April is National Public Health Week, which celebrates a growing movement to create the healthiest nation we can. The public health system prevents diseases, including cancer. Public health officials look for patterns to understand why cancer and other diseases happen, teach people about healthy decisions, and create policies that make sure we live in healthy, safe communities.

Each year around 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 die from it. The good news is that colorectal cancer is highly preventable through screening. And you can lower your risk for developing the disease by making some lifestyle changes.

In summer 2018, Huntsman Cancer Institute established a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to increase community outreach and engagement and address health disparities through collaboration. The 38 CAB members represent government organizations, safety-net health care and health systems, comprehensive cancer programs, community organizations focused on the underserved, business and religious leaders, elected officials, and cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors.

To combat tobacco-related cancer deaths, Huntsman Cancer Institute takes a multifaceted approach: advocating for comprehensive tobacco control policies; informing communities about tobacco risk; and providing tobacco cessation services. On July 1, 2018, the University of Utah was officially designated a tobacco-free campus. The designation supports clean air initiatives, reduces costs associated with health care, and creates a healthier environment for tens of thousands of students, employees, patients, and visitors.

Utah is a beautiful state with so many fun outdoor activities. But we are more at risk for skin cancer because of our outdoor lifestyle. Sunscreen is essential to your skin protection strategy but with so many options, how do you pick the right one?