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Make the ultimate defensive play
against cancer
While body checking gives players an advantage on the ice, off the ice, it can be a crucial defensive tactic to help stay ahead of cancer. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the US and a leading cause of death worldwide.
AstraZeneca is committed to redefining cancer by following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop, and deliver life-changing treatments and increase the potential to save the lives of people around the world. Since November 2023, AstraZeneca has teamed up with Hockey Fights Cancer™, a joint initiative with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), on an important public health campaign to educate and empower the hockey community to Get Body Checked Against Cancer: Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and available cancer screenings that are right for you.
Know your screening options
AstraZeneca recently conducted a national survey of about 4,600 adults (aged 18 or older). Findings revealed that many Americans are not aware of, and not following, United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) cancer screening recommendations. When those surveyed were presented with a list of cancer screenings and asked which are recommended by the USPSTF:
75%
did not think a lung cancer screening recommendation exists
51%
did not think a breast cancer screening recommendation exists
57%
did not think a prostate cancer screening recommendation exists
65%
did not think a colorectal cancer screening recommendation exists
38%
were unsure if anyof the provided cancer
screening recommendations exist
Cancer screening is essential for timely detection and early treatment
Yet, as this survey shows, there’s a need for greater education around individual risk factors, which cancers can be screened for, who is eligible, and why it’s critical to detect cancer early through regular screening—because every cancer detected earlier is a chance to save a life.
When caught and treated early (stage 1), almost 100% of people with breast or prostate cancer survive beyond 5 years
Have you gotten your Body Checked
for cancer?
Read about some of the most common types of screenable cancers. Certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. And because not all cancers are symptomatic, it's important to get routine cancer screenings. Screening can often help find cancers early before they have a chance to spread.
The impact of lung cancer
Lung cancer remains a significant health challenge in the US, but the landscape of detection and treatment is evolving. Here’s what you should know:
- Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in the US, surpassing deaths from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined. Recognizing risk factors is an important part of early detection and improving survival outcomes
- Lung cancer is not just a ‘‘smoker's’’ disease—approximately 10-20% of lung cancers occur in people who never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime
Understanding risk factors
Risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, radon exposure, and a personal or family history of lung cancer. Being aware and taking steps to mitigate these risks is crucial.
Screening can help find cancer early
For individuals at high risk, lung cancer screening is recommended. Screening can often help find cancers early before they have a chance to spread. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for lung cancer in adults aged 50-80 years who have a 20 pack-per-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Biomarker testing
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer, ask about your biomarker status the next time you talk to your doctor.
You can learn more about lung cancer screening here.
The impact of breast cancer
Breast cancer survival rates have significantly improved over the last few decades and treatments are continually improving—but here’s what you should know:
- Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US
- The disease accounts for around 1 in 3 new female cancers every year
Understanding risk factors
There are several risk factors for breast cancer:
- Lifestyle-related factors include:
- Drinking alcohol
- Having excess weight or obesity
- Those using some menopausal hormone therapies
- Factors that cannot be changed include:
- Inheriting changes in certain genes, like BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Having a family or personal history of breast cancer
- Race and ethnicity
Screening can help find cancer early
The risk of dying from breast cancer dropped by over 40% in women who had a screening mammogram.
- If you’re at average risk for breast cancer, screening is recommended even if you’re not showing symptoms∗
- If you’re a woman between 40-44 years old, you have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year
- If you’re a woman between 45-54 years old, you should get a mammogram every year
- If you’re a woman over 55 years old, you can switch to mammograms every other year
- If you’re a woman at high risk† of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about screening based on your personal history
- Starting at age 30, you should get a mammogram and a breast MRI every year
Biomarker testing
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, ask about your biomarker status the next time you talk to your doctor.
You can learn more about breast cancer screening here.
∗A woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a gene mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2), or a history of chest radiation therapy before they were 30 years old.
†Women at high risk include those who have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (based on genetic testing), who have a parent, brother, sister, or child with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or who had chest radiation therapy before they were 30 years old.
The impact of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men after skin cancer, with 1 in 8 likely to be diagnosed during their lifetime. However, prostate cancer treatments are also continually improving.
Understanding risk factors
While all men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, older age and race/ethnicity are leading risk factors:
- The chance of having prostate cancer increases significantly over the age of 50
- The incidence of prostate cancer was about 73% higher in Black men than White men from 2014-2018
Screening can help find cancer early∗
The prostate cancer 5-year survival rate is over >99% if caught early and the cancer remains localized. The 5-year survival rate drops to 34% if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
Biomarker testing
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, ask about your biomarker status the next time you talk to your doctor.
You can learn more about prostate cancer screening here.
∗Prostate cancer screening is done through a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The impact of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer treatments are continually improving, but did you know that in people under 50 years old, it is now the #1 cause of cancer death in men and the #2 cause of cancer death in women in the US?
Understanding risk factors
Colorectal cancer has a range of risk factors, including having excess weight or obesity, consuming a moderate-to-heavy amount of alcohol, being over 50 years old, and having a personal history of colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Screening can help find cancer early
The relative survival rate for colorectal cancers is about 90% over 5 years when found at an early stage. However, only 40% of colorectal cancers are found at an early stage before they spread.
- 1 in 3 people in the US who should get tested for colorectal cancer have never been screened
- The American Cancer Society recommends people with an average risk start getting screened regularly at 45∗
- People with high or increased risk might need to start getting screened younger than 45†
- If you’re at high risk, talk to your doctor about screening based on your personal history
Biomarker testing
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, ask about your biomarker status the next time you talk to your doctor.
You can learn more about colorectal cancer screening here.
∗People with an average risk include those who do not have a personal history of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease.
†Being at increased risk includes having a personal or family history of certain types of polyps or colorectal cancer, or a personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Get yourself Body Checked and encourage your loved ones to get checked, too
Watch New York Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba and his mother Kristy Trouba lead the way.
Craig’s
story of hope
As part of our initiative, we're sharing inspirational stories of those in the hockey world touched by cancer.
Watch NHL players and coaches discuss the incredible story of Nashville Predators locker room attendant Craig "Partner" Baugh and his fight against prostate cancer.
Stay tuned for more incredible stories!
AstraZeneca is proud to present the season-long NHL Hat Trick Challenge. Every time an NHL player scores a hat trick (3 goals in a single game) during the 2023-24 NHL season, including the 2024 Stanley Cup® Playoffs, AstraZeneca will donate $5,000 to the Hockey Fights Cancer fund of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated charity dedicated to funding innovative cancer research, with a donation goal of up to $500,000.
Recent news
Check out the latest on Get Body Checked Against Cancer.
Our partners
The cancer-related data on this website is sourced from trusted organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society, and USPSTF, provided for informational purposes only and not as medical advice. AstraZeneca is responsible for the accuracy of cancer-related data attributed to their research. None of the data presented is associated with Hockey Fights Cancer, NHL, or NHLPA. While efforts are made for accuracy, users should consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and Hockey Fights Cancer name and logo and NHL Hat Trick Challenge name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. © NHL 2024. All Rights Reserved. NHLPA and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League Players’ Association. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.
The information on this website is provided by AstraZeneca for educational purposes only and should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have any questions about your medical condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
This information is intended for US consumers only.
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US-87100 Last Updated 4/24