Speaking at a press conference in Washington, the seven-time Tour de France winner asked the surgeons general to develop goals to reduce the medical, economic and social burden of the disease. Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer, urged people to adopt healthy lifestyles, screening tests, education and better care for survivors.
At Armstrong's request, the four former surgeons general-Richard Carmona, David Satcher, Joycelyn Elders and Antonia Novello-developed a National Call to Action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. It emphasizes prevention efforts such as not smoking, eating more fruit and vegetables, getting less fat in the diet, getting more exercise, using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning beds.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain plans a visit to Ohio Thursday for a town hall meeting on cancer hosted by Armstrong. The event is part of a four-day summit on cancer being held by the Lance Armstrong Foundation at Ohio State University's James Cancer Hospital.
Cancer is the second largest cause of death for people under age 85 in the United States, and is expected to kill about 566,000 this year. Almost 4,000 people are diagnosed with cancer daily in the U.S., and at least half of the cases can be prevented or detected early, the group said.
