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Sep 11, 2006 10:08 pm US/Central
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Lance Armstrong And Cancer Panel Visit U Of M
by Dennis Douda
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
What you don't know about cancer can kill you. Researchers are just beginning to get the word out about the disease, with the help of a famous cancer survivor.
Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong and a host of the nation's top experts were on hand at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center today for a panel discussion. The main topic is fat and its connection to cancer.
"I think about the fact that I was diagnosed ten years. Ten years ago I didn't think I'd be talking about this. I thought we'd be in a different place, and ten years goes so quick," said Armstrong, who a decade ago discovered he had testicular cancer.
Armstrong is a member of the President's Cancer Panel. One of the organization's solutions for combating cancer involves classrooms without desks or chairs, which force kids to expend energy and burn calories.
"Now there is scientific evidence that there is proof that physical activity can decrease your incidence of cancer and thus help prevent obesity," said Dr. LaSalle Leffall, chair of the President's Cancer Panel.
According to Leffall, cancer is killing our kids, and can lead to all kinds of cancers later in life, "particularly breast cancer, uterine cancer, colorectal cancer and maybe even advanced prostate cancer."
The President's Cancer Panel met for the first time ever in Minnesota, convening at the University of Minnesota's Cancer Center. The panel consists of three people: the chairman, a researcher, and the world's most famous cancer survivor.
"It's your life and you have to take it very seriously. And if you're fighting for your life, in my opinion, you need to know what you're doing. You don't need to be an oncologist," said Armstrong.
Armstrong and the panel want to empower people with information.
"Once we isolate two or three million people and say that's it, that's our issue, we'll make change," said Armstrong.
The panel will present President Bush with its recommendations in the spring and hope for the best. Sadly, they concluded there is no magic bullet to finding a cure. They hope things will begin to change with these recommendations.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)