Saturday, March 07, 2009

Correction...

Apparently, the stats quoted in my post about Dress in Blue day were inaccurate. Shocking...not everything you read on the internet is true, even if it comes from fairly reputable websites.

According to the person who manages my colon cancer list on ACOR.org (fantastic source, by the way)...

"The American Cancer Society Facts and Figures reported 40,480 deaths from breast cancer in 2008 and 49,960 from colorectal cancer.

The Kaiser Foundation Global Health Facts reported 22,000 deaths from AIDS in the United States in 2007. I cannot find a number for 2008, but assume that it is reasonably near that number.

40,480 plus 22,000 equals 62.480 -- considerably more than the 49,960 US colorectal cancer deaths.

Worldwide the numbers are bigger: AIDS will kill at least 2,000,000 people according to the World Health Organization, breast cancer 519,000, and colorectal cancer 639,000

Nearly 50,000 deaths from colon and rectal cancer is scary enough. I think we need to be very careful in making comparisons to other diseases to support colorectal cancer awareness."

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, have a good week. Love, Kim and Dave

Anonymous said...

Lisa,
Just to let you know I'm thinking of you with much love.
Auntie Suzy

Anonymous said...

Considering that only lung cancer is worse and that it is a self-inflicted disease it is clear that colon cancer is entitled to premier status and funding.

Unknown said...

Hi Lisa,

I saw your blog posting via Google Alerts last week and while I was sad to see that we had posted an inaccurate statistic regarding colorectal cancer for our Dress in Blue Day - it did prompt us to immediately research this claim. Seems that this was an accurate thing to claim using 2006 ACS data - but, more and more people are getting screened for colorectal cancer and we can no longer say that colorecal cancer affects as many people as breast cancer and AIDS. Please don't hesitate to flag any issues you have with our information in the future. We love hearing from anyone and everyone affected directly (or indirectly) by this preventable cancer.

All our best to you and your lovely family, - Jasmine

Jasmine Greenamyer
Vice President
Colon Cancer Alliance
jgreenamyer@ccalliance.org
202/434-8984

Unknown said...

Lisa Marie,
I'm a longtime friend of Kim & Dave. Currently, undergoing treatment for stage 4 colorectal cancer, at MDACC and in Austin. I'm on round 13 of chemo. I appreciate your openness about your experience. I'd be glad to share what I've learned re: managing the many side-effects I've encountered. Am learning so much about this life, too... like that anything is possible if the spirit can imagine it. May the light of possibilities shine in front of you. Dave Akard

Unknown said...

Lisa Marie,
I'm a longtime friend of Kim & Dave. Currently, undergoing treatment for stage 4 colorectal cancer, at MDACC and in Austin. I'm on round 13 of chemo. I appreciate your openness about your experience. I'd be glad to share what I've learned re: managing the many side-effects I've encountered. Am learning so much about this life, too... like that anything is possible if the spirit can imagine it. May the light of possibilities shine in front of you. Dave Akard

Unknown said...

Lisa Marie,
I'm a longtime friend of Kim & Dave. Currently, undergoing treatment for stage 4 colorectal cancer, at MDACC and in Austin. I'm on round 13 of chemo. I appreciate your openness about your experience. I'd be glad to share what I've learned re: managing the many side-effects I've encountered. Am learning so much about this life, too... like that anything is possible if the spirit can imagine it. May the light of possibilities shine in front of you. Dave Akard