In the delivery of patient healthcare, it's imperative for healthcare providers to be aware of the leading causes of mortality and death in the United States and the incongruities of life expectancy in population demographics especially regarding ethnicity and geographic location. 

In 2023, cancer was the primary cause of death in over 600,000 Americans and is “closing in” on cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death. Current trends and the increasing rates of the most lethal cancers with their associated risk factors and lifestyle modification are imperative in providing quality lifelong care to our patient populations.

Learning Objectives:

Following the completion of this lecture, the participating will be able:

1.To understand the disparities in life expectancy across different population dynamics, including the rural/urban settings, and geographic locality.

2.To review the 10 most common cancers that have resulted in over 605,000 deaths in 2023 including risk factors, and lifestyle modification.

3.To understand cancer rates versus cancer cases, and three cancers that are increasing in rate, including pancreatic cancer, liver cirrhosis/hepatocellular cancer, and central nervous system gliomas.

4.To review the current literature and studies on liver, pancreatic, and central nervous system malignancies as to possible cause-and-effect.

5.To review and understand the Bovine Leukemia Virus and human epidemiology studies.

6. Most importantly, to be aware of the necessary lifestyle modifications which are supported by current literature and studies in reducing cancer rates and risk for all patient populations