Which of the following best explains why cancer rates increase as peop

Which of the following best explains why cancer rates increase as people get older?

a. Better prevention programs are available for cardiac disease, so cardiac disease rates are decreasing, making cancer rates increase.
b. It is harder to screen for cancer than for other fatal diseases, so the rates are increasing because of the inability to detect the cancer at an early stage.
c. Poor lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and increased life expectancy have all caused cancer rates to increase.
d. Other causes of death are decreasing, so it appears that cancer rates are increasing.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: C
Cancer rates appear to be increasing for a number of reasons, including lifestyle choices (smoking, diet, sun exposure); increasing exposure to environmental carcinogens; and age. There has not been a significant decrease of cardiac disease or other causes of death. Screening programs exist to detect cancers early and more cancers are detected at earlier stages.