In California this year, nearly 193,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer. Health experts believe that more than 40% of all cancers diagnosed and nearly half of all cancer deaths can be attributed to preventable causes like smoking, excessive exposure to the sun, obesity and physical inactivity.
On this week's "In Focus SoCal," host Tanya McRae sits down with state Sen. Susan Rubio, who recently introduced the California Cancer Registry bill to improve research in California and to improve quality of life for patients.
"I'm sure all of us have been touched by cancer at one point or another," said Rubio. "But this in particular will help the medical professionals be able to record it easier online. But also, being able to share the information across state lines is also very important."
The state senator is also working to close a loophole that allows hotels to set aside 20% of their occupancy and allow smoking indoors.
"We know that secondhand smoking does affect others, and so we're trying to close that loophole and make sure it's 100% smoke-free," said Rubio.
Shauntay Davis-Patterson, program director of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program under the California Department of Public Health, joins McRae on this week's show to discuss top cancer control priorities. The program is funded by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.
"The real mission of California's Comprehensive Cancer Control program is to eliminate the cancer burden in California and achieve health equity and cancer care and survivorship through our effective partnerships and efficient collaboration," said Davis-Patterson.
Occupational cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, according to the International Association of Firefighters. Spectrum News 1's Bree Steffen introduces us to a new generation of first responders in San Diego that are working toward cancer prevention.
Plus, Carmen Valencia shows us how the MaxLove Project is supporting families who have survived childhood cancer and other chronic illnesses with culinary medicine.
Send us your thoughts to InFocusSoCal@charter.com and watch at 9 a.m. and noon Sundays.