Majority of Americans and Canadians Expects Cancer Cure in Their Lifetime

My Healthy Today

SOURCE: Harris Poll, news release, Feb. 3, 2016

2/4/2016

THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2016 -- A majority of American and Canadian adults believe a cure for cancer will be found in their lifetime, and that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, according to a new Harris Poll. Nearly three out of five Americans and Canadians expect a cure for cancer in their lifetime. That belief is especially strong among those ages 18 to 34. Nearly three-quarters of young Americans and 69 percent of Canadians in that age group expect a cure in their lifetime. And, about two-thirds of Americans and Canadians don't think death is inevitable when someone is diagnosed with cancer, the poll found. However, Americans adults under 35 are more likely to believe that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence than those 35 and older (39 percent vs. 29 percent). Americans whose lives have been affected by cancer are also more likely to view cancer as deadly compared to those who haven't been affected by cancer (35 percent vs. 29 percent), the poll revealed. The poll was released to mark World Cancer Day on Feb. 4. It included just over 2,000 American and more than 1,100 Canadian adults. The online survey was conducted in late January.....