Why Access to Healthcare is Critical
February 17, 2022
February is National Heart Month - it's also Cancer Prevention Month.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death – right after heart disease. But the good news is you can adopt several simple measures to reduce your risk. In fact, approximately one in four cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths are preventable, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.
GET SCREENED: It does not take much time to get a screening – and it could save your life. If everyone who is eligible got screened, it would prevent 2,821 deaths yearly from breast cancer, 6,834 deaths from cervical cancer, and 35,530 deaths from colorectal cancer, according to a CDC study. It is also important to keep active, avoid smoking, and apply your SPF 15 or higher - all year long.
Public transportation plays an important role when it comes to health and well-being by providing access to health care services [like life-saving screenings] and supports. For so many, public transportation is their only way to doctors offices, hospitals, and pharmacies [for that sunscreen to prevent skin cancer].
Research has shown that lack of good and reliable public transportation can result in missed or delayed health care appointments, poorer health outcomes, and even increased health expenditures.
To learn about what cancer screenings you may need, visit the American Cancer Society guidelines.
Keep it here for more helpful tips from SEPTA Medical Director Dr. E [aka Dr. Jeffrey Erinoff]!!
