Report: Pennsylvania needs to do more to prevent, fight cancer
(Harrisburg) — A new report from the American Cancer Society finds Pennsylvania is like most states in that it falls short when it comes to fighting the causes of cancer.
The commonwealth only gets top marks for its tobacco tax rates.
The Cancer Action Network report gives Pennsylvania low marks on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.
Spokeswoman Laura Weis says the state also scores poorly for physical education time requirements, which can help in cancer prevention.
“One in three cancer deaths is due to factors relating to poor nutrition and physical inactivity,” Weis says.
The report gives the commonwealth low grades for tanning bed restrictions, because over-exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer.
The state’s smoking ban only gets moderate marks because many locations are not covered by the law.
The Cancer Society also docks the commonwealth for an uptick in the use of smokeless tobacco.
Please visit witf‘s Facing Cancer Together project for more cancer resources and stories.
