SANDY, Utah - The Huntsman Cancer institute held its first annual Cancer Expo this weekend. Organizers say support is crucial, but being armed with information and screenings are the keys to early detection.
The South Towne Expo Center had stations set up for clinical breast exams, skin cancer spot checks and oral cancer screenings. There was also information on risk factors of getting cancer and how to lower your chance.
"Every year in Utah, 10,000 people are diagnosed with cancer and 2,500 people die of cancer," said Donna Bran, Cancer Expo organizer.
Age is a big risk factor in getting cancer; 75 percent of cancers occur in people ages 55 and older. One in three woman and one in two men will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime.
Sticking to a healthy diet of low-fat and low-sugar foods along with exercise can help combat the chances of being diagnosed with cancer. Routine health checkups are vital in finding problems before it's too late to treat or cure them.
"We don't want people to die of cancer. We want to find them early if they are going to be diagnosed. We want to get them early when their cancers are treatable and curable," Bran said.
