Cheap, safe drug (based on vinegar) kills most cancers - Dichloracetate (DCA)

IT SOUNDS almost too good to be true: a cheap and simple drug that kills almost all cancers by switching off their "immortality". The drug, dichloroacetate (DCA), has already been used for years to treat rare metabolic disorders and so is known to be relatively safe. It also has no patent, meaning it could be manufactured for a fraction of the cost of newly developed drugs.

reposted from: New Scientist
my highlights / edits

New Scientist has received an unprecedented amount of interest in this story from readers. If you would like up-to-date information on any plans for clinical trials of DCA in patients with cancer, or would like to donate towards a fund for such trials, please visit the site set up by the University of Alberta and the Alberta Cancer Board. We will also follow events closely and will report any progress as it happens.

Evangelos Michelakis of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and his colleagues tested DCA on human cells cultured outside the body and found that it killed lung, breast and brain cancer cells, but not healthy cells. Tumours in rats deliberately infected with human cancer also shrank drastically when they were fed DCA-laced water for several weeks.

DCA attacks a unique feature of cancer cells: the fact that they make their energy throughout the main body of the cell, rather than in distinct organelles called mitochondria. This process, called glycolysis, is inefficient and uses up vast amounts of sugar. Until now it had been assumed that cancer cells used glycolysis because their mitochondria were irreparably damaged. However, Michelakis's experiments prove this is not the case, because DCA reawakened the mitochondria in cancer cells. The cells then withered and died

Full Article: Cancer Cell, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2006.10.020 (pdf)

Michelakis suggests that the switch to glycolysis as an energy source occurs when cells in the middle of an abnormal but benign lump don't get enough oxygen for their mitochondria to work properly (see Diagram). In order to survive, they switch off their mitochondria and start producing energy through glycolysis.

Crucially, though, mitochondria do another job in cells: they activate apoptosis, the process by which abnormal cells self-destruct. When cells switch mitochondria off, they become "immortal", outliving other cells in the tumour and so becoming dominant. Once reawakened by DCA, mitochondria reactivate apoptosis and order the abnormal cells to die.

“Once reawakened by DCA, mitochondria order the abnormal cancer cells in a tumour to die”

"The results are intriguing because they point to a critical role that mitochondria play: they impart a unique trait to cancer cells that can be exploited for cancer therapy," says Dario Altieri, director of the University of Massachusetts Cancer Center in Worcester.

The phenomenon might also explain how secondary cancers form. Glycolysis generates lactic acid, which can break down the collagen matrix holding cells together. This means abnormal cells can be released and float to other parts of the body, where they seed new tumours.

DCA can cause pain, numbness and gait disturbances in some patients, but this may be a price worth paying if it turns out to be effective against all cancers. The next step is to run clinical trials of DCA in people with cancer. These may have to be funded by charities, universities and governments: pharmaceutical companies are unlikely to pay because they can't make money on unpatented medicines. The pay-off is that if DCA does work, it will be easy to manufacture and dirt cheap.

Paul Clarke, a cancer cell biologist at the University of Dundee in the UK, says the findings challenge the current assumption that mutations, not metabolism, spark off cancers. "The question is: which comes first?" he says.

From issue 2587 of New Scientist magazine, 20 January 2007, page 13

More...

• Newsweek 23rd January 2007
  
• The Economist January 2007
• University of Alabama News
• Global Edmonton News video
  

Fibre 'lowers breast cancer risk'

Wholemeal bread should be part of a high-fibre diet

Pre-menopausal women who eat large amounts of fibre could halve their breast cancer risk, a UK study has suggested.

reposted from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6287915.stm
my highlights / edits

The University of Leeds researchers, who studied 35,000 women, found those who ate 30g of fibre a day had half the risk of those who ate less than 20g.

They said women should try to increase their fibre intake.

Experts said the International Journal of Epidemiology study was more evidence of the benefits of a healthy diet.

The average person in the UK eats 12g of fibre a day.

To eat 30g, a person would need to eat a high-fibre cereal for breakfast, switch from white or brown bread to wholemeal and ensure they have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

A team from the University of Leeds Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics have been monitoring the eating habits and health of more than 35,000 women for seven years.

It further highlights the importance of eating a healthy diet for reducing the risk of cancer Ed Yong, Cancer Research UK

They were aged 35 to 69 at the beginning of the study.

Diet was assessed using a 217-item food questionnaire.

Processing

Unlike other studies looking at fibre intake and breast cancer risk, the women studied had a range of diets including groups who were wholly vegetarian or who did not eat red meat.

Just under 16,000 women were pre-menopausal when they entered the study, with 18,000 post-menopausal.

257 pre-menopausal women developed breast cancer during the study, which was initially funded by the World Cancer Research Fund.

They were found to be women who had a greater percentage of energy derived from protein, and lower intakes of dietary fibre and vitamin C, compared to women who did not develop cancer.

However, the effect was not seen in the post-menopausal group, in which 350 developed breast cancer.

The researchers say this may be because fibre affects the way the body processes and regulates the female hormone oestrogen.

Levels of the hormone are higher in pre-menopausal women.

Early exposure

Professor Janet Cade, who led the research, said: "Our study found no protective effect in the older group, but significant evidence of a link in the pre-menopausal women.

"The relevant exposure may be earlier in life, explaining why the protective effect was not shown in the post-menopausal group."

She added: "In addition, post-menopausal women with high body mass indexes [who are overweight or obese] have an increased risk of breast cancer.

"Their weight may over-ride any other effects such as benefits from fibre."

Professor Cade added: "It goes along with the general healthy eating advice to make sure that you are getting plenty of fibre in your diet through breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, fruit and vegetables."

Ed Yong, cancer information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "We already advise eating a diet rich in fibre to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. "This study suggests that it could help protect against breast cancer in younger women too."

He added: "Until now, the evidence that fibre could reduce the risk of breast cancer has been inconsistent.

"This study suggests that this is because any protective effects are limited to women before their menopause.

"It further highlights the importance of eating a healthy diet for reducing the risk of cancer."

Dr Sarah Cant, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer said separating out the individual effects of different food was difficult.

Cancer - Reduce the risk

More than one in three people in this country will get cancer. Cancer is most comon in people over 60. But the habits we adopt earlier in life can alter our risk - sometimes dramatically.

Half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle

The Reduce the Risk campaign is raising awareness of ways to reduce the risk of cancer. Follow these five key pieces of advice:

Key points to reduce cancer by a half:-

1. stop smoking
   
2. keep a healthy weight
3. eat & drink healthily
1. Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet.
4. Be Sun Smart

1. SunSmart is the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign run by Cancer Research UK. Follow the SunSmart code.

1. S pend time in the shade 11am-3pm
2. M ake sure you never burn
3. A im to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
4. R emember to take extra care with children
5. T hen use factor 15+ sunscreen
5. Look after number one
1. know your body, be aware of any changes and contact your doctor if you notice anything unusual
6. Top Ten Tips
1. Keep to your meal routine. Try to eat at roughly the same times each day, whether this is two or five times a day. For more information, go to our Eating Habits section.
2. Go reduced fat. Choose reduced fat versions of foods such as dairy products, spreads and salad dressings where you can. Use them sparingly as some can still be high in fat. For more information, go to our Hidden Calories section.
3. Walk off the weight. Walk 10,000 steps (about 60-90 minutes of moderate activity) each day. You can use a pedometer to help count the steps. You can break up your walking over the day. For more information, go to our Walking section.
4. Pack a healthy snack. If you snack, choose a healthy option such as fresh fruit or low calorie yogurts instead of chocolate or crisps. For more information, go to our Healthy Meal Ideas section.
5. Look at the labels. Be careful about food claims. Check the fat and sugar content on food labels when shopping and preparing food. For more information, go to our Look at the Labels section.
6. Caution with your portions. Don’t heap food on your plate (except vegetables). Think twice before having second helpings. For more information, go to our Portion Caution section.
7. Up on your feet. Break up your sitting time. Stand up for ten minutes out of every hour. For more information, go to our Keep on Moving section.
8. Think about your drinks. Choose water or sugar-free squashes. Unsweetened fruit juice contains natural sugar so limit it to 1 glass per day (200ml / 1/3 pint). Alcohol is high in calories; try to limit the amount you drink. For more information, go to our Hidden Calories section.
9. Focus on your food. Slow down. Don’t eat on the go or while watching TV. Eat at a table if possible. For more information, go to our Eating Habits section.
10. Don’t forget your 5 a day. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (400g in total). For more information, go to our Five a Day section.

Quarter say cancer 'down to fate'

Chris Street edits in bold.

Quarter say cancer 'down to fate'

Smoking and obesity are linked to cancer

Over a quarter of people believe that fate will determine whether they get cancer, a survey says.

More women than men thought destiny would determine their chances - and smokers were 50% more likely than non-smokers to believe in it.

The poll of 4,000 people was carried out by the charity Cancer Research UK.

Those responding were asked if they thought they could cut their risk of developing cancer - or whether it was out of their hands.

In total, 27% of the people questioned said fate ruled whether they would be affected by the disease.

We can all reduce our risk of cancer by stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking plenty of exercise Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK

Among those from the most deprived areas, the figure rose to 43% and among those from the most privileged areas, it fell to 14%.

Smoking and obesity are linked to an increased cancer risk.

But the survey also found 34% of smokers and 36% of over 65s believed that getting cancer was down to fate.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at the charity, said: "It is alarming that such a large percentage of the British population do not realise that half of all cases of cancer can be prevented by lifestyle changes.

"We can all reduce our risk of cancer by stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking plenty of exercise.

"Enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn also helps to reduce cancer risk.

"Cancer Research UK's Reduce the Risk campaign is actively encouraging people to learn how they can lead healthier lives and cut their risk of developing cancer.

"We can give people information about how to do this but it is seriously worrying that so many people think cancer is down to fate."

The Reduce the Risk campaign urges people to give up smoking, eat and drink healthily, protect themselves in the sun and visit their GP if they notice anything abnormal.

Can masturbating each day reduce prostrate cancer?

An apple a day can make you obese. So can masturbating each day keep the doctor away? Apparently it can reduce prostrate cancer by upto a third!

• 19 July 2003
• NewScientist.com news service
• Douglas Fox

Masturbation wILL make you go blind. It will make your palms grow hairy. Thankfully, such myths about masturbation are largely a thing of the past. But the latest research has even better news for young men: frequent self-pleasuring could protect against the most common kind of cancer.

A team in Australia led by Graham Giles of The Cancer Council Victoria in Melbourne asked 1079 men with prostate cancer to fill in a questionnaire detailing their sexual habits, and compared their responses with those of 1259 healthy men of the same age. The team concludes that the more men ejaculate between the ages of 20 and 50, the less likely they are to develop prostate cancer.

The protective effect is greatest while men are in their twenties: those who had ejaculated more than five times per week in their twenties, for instance, were one-third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer later in life (BJU International, vol 92, p 211).

The results contradict those of previous studies, which have suggested that having had many sexual partners, or a high frequency of sexual activity, increases the risk of prostate cancer by up to 40 per cent. The key difference is that these earlier studies defined sexual activity as sexual intercourse, whereas the latest study focused on the number of ejaculations, whether or not intercourse was involved.

The team speculates that infections caused by intercourse may increase the risk of prostate cancer. "Had we been able to remove ejaculations associated with sexual intercourse, there should have been an even stronger protective effect of other ejaculations," they suggest. "Men have many ways of using their prostate which don't involve women or other men," Giles adds.

Giles accepts the possibility that the men who completed the questionnaires could have lied about their habits. But he doubts this skewed the results, since questions about masturbation are unlikely to evoke the same macho exaggeration as questions about, say, number of sexual partners.

But why should ejaculating more often cut the risk of prostate cancer? The team speculates that ejaculation prevents carcinogens building up in the gland. The prostate, together with the seminal vesicles, secretes the bulk of the fluid in semen, which is rich in substances such as potassium, zinc, fructose and citric acid. Generating the fluid involves concentrating these components from the bloodstream up to 600-fold - and this could be where the trouble starts. Studies in dogs show that carcinogens such as 3-methylcholanthrene, found in cigarette smoke, are also concentrated in prostate fluid. "It's a prostatic stagnation hypothesis," says Giles. "The more you flush the ducts out, the less there is to hang around and damage the cells that line them."

His findings suggest an intriguing parallel between prostate cancer and breast cancer, as recent studies indicate that lactating reduces a woman's risk of breast cancer, perhaps because this also flushes out carcinogens. Alternatively, ejaculation might induce prostate cells to mature fully, making them less susceptible to carcinogens. "All these mechanisms are totally speculative," cautions breast cancer expert Loren Lipworth of the International Epidemiology Institute in Rockville, Maryland.

But if the finding is confirmed, future health advice from doctors may no longer be restricted to diet and exercise. "Masturbation is part of people's sexual repertoire," says Anthony Smith, deputy director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University in Melbourne. "If these findings hold up, then it's perfectly reasonable that men should be encouraged to masturbate."

From issue 2404 of New Scientist magazine, 19 July 2003, page 15

Fitness 'cuts colon cancer risk by 22%'

Vigorous housework: good for fitness, and cancer risk

Keeping physically active can significantly cut the risk of colon cancer, international research shows.

Scientists analysed data from 413,000 people in 10 European countries, and found physically active people were 22% less likely to develop colon cancer.

They said an hour a day of vigorous physical activity or two hours of moderate activity would be enough to reduce the risk.

The study appears in Cancer Epidemiology and Biomarkers Prevention.

If you combine regular physical activity with a good diet you are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight which will also significantly help to reduce your risk of bowel cancer Dr Lesley Walker Cancer Research UK

The study found the risk of tumours on the right side of the colon was reduced by as much as 35% for most active people.

For active people who were not overweight the risk was reduced even further.

Housework a good option

Dr Lesley Walker, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said: "This is a very large study which should remove any doubt about the benefits of exercise in relation to reducing the risk of bowel cancer.

"It is important for people to understand that they can take steps in their daily routine to reduce cancer risk. You don't need to join a gym to get the benefit of exercise.

"If regular brisk walking or going for a run doesn't appeal you can do some strenuous housework.

"Cleaning windows, vacuuming and scrubbing floors burn off a lot of calories.

"So does gardening or cleaning the car.

"If you combine regular physical activity with a good diet you are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight which will also significantly help to reduce your risk of bowel cancer."

Dr Walker said it was unclear why the benefits of physical activity were particularly pronounced on the right side of the colon.

However, physical activity was known to stimulate waves of muscle contraction down the right side of the colon which accelerates movement of waste and the possible cancer-causing agents in it.

Among the 21,500 cases of colon cancer diagnosed each year in the UK, approximately half are detected on the right-hand side of the colon.

The study was part-funded by Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council.

It is part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

Eat more fruit and vegetables

Scientific studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of getting illnesses, such as heart disease and some cancers. For this reason, health authorities recommend that you eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day - and it doesn't matter whether they're fresh, tinned, frozen, cooked, juiced or dried.

How much is a portion?

• One piece of medium-sized fruit - eg, an apple, peach, banana or orange.
• One slice of large fruit, such as melon, mango or pineapple.
• One handful of grapes or two handfuls of cherries or berry fruits.
• One tablespoon of dried fruit.
• A glass (roughly 100ml) of fruit or vegetable juice.
• A small tin (roughly 200g) of fruit.
• A side salad.
• A serving (roughly 100g) of vegetables - eg, frozen or mushy peas, boiled carrots or stir-fried broccoli.
• The vegetables served in a portion of vegetable curry, lasagne, stir-fry or casserole.

At least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce the risk of many different types of cancer. The exact reason for this is unknown, but it may be related to their:-

• fibre content
• vitamins and minerals
• other plant chemicals such as flavonoids,
  
• or the combination of all these nutrients.
  

Vitamin and mineral supplements may be a useful addition to the diet for some people, but they aren't a substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables

Vitamins

Eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables means you're more likely to get all the vitamins and minerals you need. But what are vitamins - and why are they so important to your good health?

• Vitamins are organic substances - this means they're found in plants and animals.
• Most vitamins can't be made by your body, so they must be sourced from your diet. Vitamin D and the B vitamin niacin are exceptions to this.
• Nutritionists have divided vitamins into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
• The fat-soluble vitamins - A, D, E and K - are transported through your body by fat. They can also be stored in your fat and liver cells for a limited period of time.
• The water-soluble vitamins - B and C - are absorbed by and transported through your body in water. They need to be eaten every day, as you can't store them for any length of time.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamin	Why important?	Where found?	Daily Recommendation
Vitamin A	It looks after your eyes, the lining of your nose, throat and lungs, and your skin cells.	Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, red chillies, tomatoes, 'orange' fruits, such as apricots and mango, and dark green leafy vegetables.	600µg for females, 700µg for males.
Vitamin D	It helps your body to absorb calcium, needed to ensure strong bones and teeth.	The most important source is the sun, but it's also found in tiny amounts in dairy products, cod liver oil and oily fish.	No recommendations as sunlight is the main source.
Vitamin E	It fights free radicals - unbalanced molecules that can cause damage to your cells. It also contributes to the healthy condition of your skin.	Vegetables, poultry, fish, fortified breakfast cereals, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.	Up to 4mg for adult males and up to 3mg for adult females is considered a safe intake.
Vitamin K	It helps your body to make a number of proteins, one of which helps your blood to clot.	Dark green leafy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and asparagus. It's also found in soya oil and margarine.	1µg for every kg of body weight is considered a safe intake for both men and women.

Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamin	Why important?	Where found?	Daily recommendation
B-complex Vitamins	They help you to metabolise your food and help your blood cells to form and flow.	Green vegetables, wholegrains, meat, such as liver, kidneys, pork, beef and lamb, vegetable extracts, nuts and fortified breakfast cereals.	Eight vitamins make up the B-complex family: B1 (Thiamin) - Adult male, 0.9mg. Adult female, 0.8mg. B2 (Riboflavin - Adult male, 1.3mg. Adult female, 1.1mg. B3 (Niacin) - Adult male, 17mg. Adult female, 13mg. B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - 3 to 7mg is considered a safe intake for both sexes. B6 (Pyridoxine) - Adult male, 1.4mg. Adult female, 1.2mg. B9 (Folate) - 200 mcg for both adult males and females. B12 (Cobalamin) - 1.5 µg for both adult males and females. Biotin - 10-20 µg is considered a safe intake for both sexes.
Vitamin C	It helps your body to produce collagen (important for skin and bone structure) and to absorb iron.	A wide variety of vegetables and fruit, including spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruit and potatoes.	40mg for both adult male and female.

Minerals

Vitamins aren't the only nutrients to be gained from fruit and vegetables. Minerals also have an important role to play in your good health.

• Minerals are inorganic substances. This means they're found in the rocks and soil.
• Vegetables absorb mineral goodness as they grow, while animals digest it through their diet.
• Like vitamins, minerals can also be divided into two groups - those that are needed in minute quantities and those that are needed in larger quantities.
• Minerals needed in larger amounts - the major minerals - include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
• Minerals needed in tiny amounts are called trace minerals. This group includes iron, zinc, iodine, selenium and copper.

Major minerals

Mineral	Why important?	Where found?	Daily recommendation
Calcium	It's essential for healthy bones and teeth.	It's in abundance in milk and dairy products. Very small quantities can be found in dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and watercress.	700mg for males and females.
Phosphorous	It contributes to healthy cells, bones and teeth.	You'll find it in milk, cheese, fish, meat and eggs.	550mg for males and females.
Magnesium	It helps your body to use energy and your muscles to function effectively.	Dark green leafy vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli.	300mg for males and females.
Sodium	It helps your body to regulate its water content and your nerves to function effectively.	As table salt, added to food for flavour.	1,600mg for males and females.
Potassium	It helps your cells and body fluids to function properly.	In most foods, apart from fats, oil and sugar.	3,500mg for males and females.

Trace minerals

Mineral	Why important?	Where found?	Daily recommendation
Iron	It helps in the formation of red blood cells; deficiency can lead to anaemia.	Red meat, fortified cereals and bread, some fruit and vegetables.	8.7mg for males. 14.8 for females, but more if you experience a heavy menstrual flow.
Zinc	It helps the body to reach sexual maturity and aids the repair of damaged tissue.	Meat, fish, milk, cheese and eggs.	9.5mg for males. 7mg for females.
Copper	It helps your body to use iron properly.	Green vegetables and fish.	1.2mg for both males and females.
Selenium	It ensures healthy cells.	Meat, fish, cereals, eggs and cheese.	75µg for males. 60µg for females.
Iodine	It helps to make thyroid hormones, which control metabolic activity.	Seafood and dairy products.	140µg for both males and females.

Obesity 'to fuel rise in cancers'

Obesity is linked to several cancers

Soaring obesity levels could result in up to 12,000 cases of weight-related cancer being diagnosed annually in the UK by 2010, say experts.

The Department of Health predicts a 14% increase in obesity by 2010, which will mean 27.6 million people in the UK will be classified as obese or overweight.

Cancer Research UK has calculated that this will lead to around 1,500 extra weight-related cancers a year.

Researchers have estimated that excess weight causes 3.8% of cancers.

It is now well established that being overweight increases the risk of developing several types of cancer Professor Tim Key 'Scares helped me diet'

The most recent figures show that in 2003 there were 24.2 million obese or overweight people in the UK.

The projected rise means that weight-related cancers are likely to rise from 10,500 cases per year to 12,000 in just seven years.

After smoking obesity is one of the most important preventable causes of cancer.

Lack of awareness

But few people are aware that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing the disease.

A Cancer Research UK survey found that only 29% of overweight or obese people were aware of the cancer connection.

Professor Tim Key, an expert on diet and cancer, said: "It is now well established that being overweight increases the risk of developing several types of cancer.

"The effects on breast and womb cancer are almost certainly due to the increased production of the hormone oestrogen in the fatty tissue.

"We are less sure of the precise mechanisms in other obesity related cancers but we can confidently predict that the number of these cases will increase unless the rise in obesity in Britain can be reversed."

Research in the US has found that among men and women who have never smoked the risk of overall cancer death is increased by up to a third in obese people.

Cancer Research UK is calling for a comprehensive strategy to halt the rise in obesity in the UK, which must be particularly targeted at children and young adults.

Women who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of womb cancer and postmenopausal women have a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

There is also evidence for a link between obesity and cancers of the bowel and kidney.

Poor survival

Obese people who develop cancer are also less likely to survive than those with a healthy weight, possibly because the cancer is more difficult to diagnose and is therefore not treated until it is more advanced.

Dr Lesley Walker, the charity's director of cancer information, said: "Eating healthily and exercising regularly is the best way to maintain a healthy body weight and to reduce your cancer risk."

In the UK 23% of men and 25% of women are now classified as obese or overweight.

The numbers of obese children have almost tripled in the past 20 years, with more than 5% now obese and more than 20% overweight.

Ageing facts from the Buck Institute

Ageing facts - Buck Institute
(more info and links)
In October 2006 the USA had a population of 300 million. In January 2006, the first of 78 million “baby boomers” began to turn 60. Currently there are 34.9 million Americans aged 65 and older, comprising 12.4% of our population. The number of those 65 or older will double to 70.3 million by 2030. The 85+ population is projected to increase from 4.6 million in 2002 to 9.6 million in 2030.
Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.1 years (19.4 years for females, 16 years for males).
Within a decade, an aging America will spend one of every five dollars on health care. The nation’s total health care bill is expected to tally more than $4 trillion by 2015, accounting for one fifth of gross domestic product. In 2004, $1.87 trillion was spent on health care. Public and private health care spending is expected to reach about $12,320 per capita in 2015, compared with $6,683 in 2005. Medicare spending will reach $792 billion in 2015, compared with $309 billion in 2004.
Age-Related Diseases
Even though people are living longer than ever, diseases of aging continue to affect many older men and women, seriously compromising the quality of their lives and their economic well being.
Government statistics show that more than half of all Americans over age 65 show evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. More than half of Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis or low bone mass. Cancer, in nearly all of its forms, is directly linked to aging; 77% of all malignancies are diagnosed after the age of 55. An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease; one in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 are affected. It costs taxpayers three times as much to treat an Alzheimer's patient as any other Medicare patient. One out of every 100 persons over the age of 60 suffers from Parkinson’s disease with 600,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

Cancer - The Basics

Cancer - Learn more about one of the world’s biggest killers in New Scientist comprehensive special report.

One in three of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. Once so feared its name was whispered, the disease is no longer an inevitable death sentence. Today, almost two-thirds of those who develop cancer will still be alive five years later, compared with just half in the 1970s....