In addressing these six types of cancer, the Coalition is taking a broader approach than Healthy New Jersey 2000, which has objectives related to breast, lung, colorectal and cervical cancer. The Department's prevention efforts are focused largely on lung cancer. For lung cancer, unlike many other cancers, early detection and treatment have not yet proven effective in reducing deaths from this disease. The most effective interventions are those that focus on reducing exposure to environmental risks, primarily tobacco. Because tobacco is addictive, prevention efforts are focused on adolescents.
Research shows that most adult smokers began experimenting with tobacco during their teen years.
The most recent data are not encouraging in terms of the prevalence of smoking among teens. However, these data do not reflect more recent major initiatives undertaken by the Department to address teen smoking. These are discussed at greater length in Priority Areas 3 and 11. Funds from the tobacco settlement, which should be available starting in 2000, will be used for a comprehensive program designed not only to discourage youth from taking up smoking, but also to assist smokers of all ages in their efforts to quit. One trend that is very encouraging is the reduction in the age-adjusted lung cancer death rate among minority males, a decrease that is attributable to the progress made in the previous decade in reducing the prevalence of smoking among this population.