While the N.C. Division of Public Health reports that cancer is now the leading cause of death in North Carolina, people across the state are relying more and more on a non-profit groups to help them deal with it.

According to newly released 2009 statistics, cancer claimed the lives of 17,476 people last year. Heart disease, displaced this year as the state’s top killer, was responsible for 17,133 deaths.

“Cancer and heart disease have consistently ranked highest in their toll on the people of North Carolina,” State Health Director Jeff Engel said. “For the most part, these are preventable diseases, so we must continue to educate our citizens about lifestyle changes they can make to stay healthier.”

Despite the recent statistics, Cancer Services is helping people beat the disease through early intervention and increased awareness about screenings.

Chuck Alexander is living proof that people are surviving cancer, as he beat prostate cancer eight years ago. At the time he was in his early 50′s and says beating the disease had everything to do with early screenings.

“You never want to hear your name and cancer in the same sentence,” said Alexander.

Alexander now volunteers with Cancer Services, a local non-profit that has seen the number of patients increase in the past three years.

Tara O’Brien with Cancer Services says they work to educate people about early detection while helping those fighting cancer find physical, emotional and financial help.

“Over the past three years alone we’ve had more than triple the amount of financial assistance that we’ve been able to provide to patients and families,” she said.

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Tags: cancer, cancer awareness, heart disease