Topic : Mandatory Discussion Question
The American Cancer Society is a nation-wide, nonprofit organization that is composed of a board of directors composed of volunteers from medical and non-medical backgrounds that "that is responsible for setting policy, establishing long-term goals, monitoring general operations, and approving the organizational outcomes and allocation of resources" (American Cancer Society, 2017). There are numerous options the ACS provides that is tailored to the individual's needs.
If I knew colleague, friend, or family that is dealing with cancer, services such as "understanding diagnosis" and "finding and paying for treatment" as means of being informed. Also, inclusion of the usage of tools to help you navigate treatment - which involves looking at the individuals treatment team, insurance resources, and survivor care plans in the process (American Cancer Society, 2017).
When it comes to the aforementioned factors that contribute to high incidences of mortality with American citizens, tobacco and smoking alongside obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and malnutrition has affected. With the former two, "15% of adults were current cigarette smokers...prevalence varied widely by state, ranging from 9% in Utah to 26% in Kentucky" (American Cancer Society, 2017).
Moreover, obesity and sedentary lifestyles has affected the average American citizen with the prevalence of cheap fast foods and longer time spent of social media and various entertainment outlets that revolves little to no activity. Obesity rates as increased to "approximately seven out of 10 adults were overweight or obese; 38% were obese (men: 35%, women: 40%)" and nutrition requirements showcase "only 29% of adults reported eating two or more servings of fruit and 16% reported eating three or more servings of vegetables per day" (American Cancer Society, 2017).
Programs funded by the ACS include that of bone marrow transplant by funding research done by E. Donnall Thomas, MD, which has led to clinical trials and produce successful bone marrow transplants in humans.
This brought about a Nobel prize award for Thomas work, which further progressed similar therapies such as stem cell research equating to decreasing several blood related cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Through ACS funding, blood treatments like bone marrow, peripheral blood, and cord blood transplants have helped blood cancer patients in present day.