global Archives - Living Well While Surviving Cancer

The Prevalence of Fake News

Take a look at SIX different infographics.

Today, we address a highly controversial topic. The prevalence of fake news. Further, we recognize that “fake news” may be in the eyes or ears of the beholder. And that it amplifies our disagreements on hot button issues.

To read our prior posts related to transparency, click here.

A Topical Look at the Prevalence of Fake News

For a highly-respected source, we turn to Statista and author Christopher Ledsham:

‘Fake news’ refers to media pieces featuring sensationalized headlines. Placed alongside falsified images and claims. And typically used for propaganda purposes. The goal? To give the impression that they are from real news sources. The term was selection as Collins Dictionary’s official Word of the Year in 2017. And become a common day-to-day expression since.

Addressing the problem of fake news around the world, we produced six graphics that take a closer look at the topic’s perceptions in different countries. We present the core statements from various surveys and studies in a compact Instagram-friendly format. The style of the infographics, created by our graphic designer Sandy Geist, is characterized above all by a well-suited color palette. In the infographics, she limits herself to a handful of colors, rich in contrast. Thereby, drawing the viewer’s gaze purposefully through each image.

Thus, how should we differentiate between quality media sources and fake news? As a solution, Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education recommends taking the following steps in order to help distinguish real news from fake news: (1) Look closely. (2) Think for yourself. (3) Think critically. (4) Check the sources.

Below are the infographics prepared by Statista on this topic.

Where Cancer Rates Are Highest

Today, we look at cancer rates by country.

Yesterday, we cited some interesting cancer facts. Now, let’s look at cancer rates by country. And there are some surprises!

As reported by Evan Comen for 24/7 Wall Street:

“About 1 in every 6 deaths on the planet is due to cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States alone, the cost of cancer care amounts to approximately $157 billion in medical expenditures per year. As the global population ages, the prevalence of cancer is likely to increase. So will the costs of care as more advanced, expensive treatments become the medical standard.”

“Correlated with factors like age, income, and health behaviors, the incidence of cancer varies heavily around the world. The quality of medical treatment and access to health care is worse in poorer, developing nations. Yet, age is the main risk factor for cancer. And many countries with high incidence of cancer are wealthy, developed nations with high life expectancy.”

“To determine the countries with the highest incidence of new cancer cases, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the estimated age-adjusted new cancer diagnosis rates for 185 countries in 2018 with data from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.”

Here are the ten countries with the highest cancer rates in this analysis [Note: These countries have high life expectancies, and thus, many older residents.]:

Australia — cancer diagnosis rate = 468.0 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 82.5 years.
New Zealand— cancer diagnosis rate = 438.1 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 81.6 years.
Ireland— cancer diagnosis rate = 373.7 new cases per 100,000 people;
life expectancy at birth = 81.6 years.
Hungary — cancer diagnosis rate = 368.1 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 75.6 years.
United States — cancer diagnosis rate = 352.2 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 78.7 years.
Belgium — cancer diagnosis rate = 345.8 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 81.0 years.
France— cancer diagnosis rate = 344.1 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 82.3 years.
Denmark — cancer diagnosis rate = 340.4 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 80.7 years.
Norway — cancer diagnosis rate = 337.8 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 82.5 years.
Netherlands — cancer diagnosis rate = 334.1 new cases per 100,000 people; life expectancy at birth = 81.5 years.

Click the image of Croatia to see the other 15 countries on 24/7 Wall St.’s list.

Status of Female Doctors Worldwide

We know that more women are becoming doctors than ever before. So, where are female doctors most prevalent globally?

According to Sarah Feldman, writing for Statista:

“Tokyo Medical University for years falsified test scores for female applicants to systematically keep the number of women admitted to the school low, believing that once women got married and had children they would not be able to perform their duties as doctors.”

“According to OECD data, rates of female doctors vary by country with women making up anywhere from a solid majority to a small minority of doctors in a given country. Despite this wide range of female professionals in this highly skilled sector of health care, the overall health workforce is still largely composed of women.”

The United States still has a long way to go.