Alzheimer, Second Biggest Health Concern After Cancer Now

July 22, 2011 5:34 AM EDT

Australian researchers report that they are stepping closure in their long-sought goal: A blood test for the early detection of the Alzheimer’s disease among the people.

More than 5,000 scientists from around the world have presented their findings at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Paris on Wednesday, which reflects concern about the growing ranks of people with the most common form of dementia.

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"Alzheimer's is growing at an alarming rate in the United States and around the world," William Thies, Alzheimer's Association Chief Medical and Scientific Officer said in a press conference in Paris.

“We have advances toward earlier detection of Alzheimer's, often as a result innovative global scientific collaborations."

"These advances are critical to helping people live longer, healthy lives free of the disability and death caused by Alzheimer's. Identifying the disease early in its process – even before symptoms start to become evident – and treating it early is how we will accomplish that,” Thies said.

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The telephonic survey of 2,678 people was designed and analyzed by the Harvard School of Public Health and Alzheimer Europe with nationally representative random samples of adults aged 18 years and older in five countries by TNS, an independent research company based in London. The survey was supported by a grant to Alzheimer Europe from Bayer AG.

USA, Germany, France, Spain and Poland were surveyed for the study.

The survey results say in four of the five countries, Alzheimer’s disease was the second biggest health concern after cancer.

The people surveyed on telephone were asked to choose one disease from the list of seven which they are afraid of getting the most. The list included cancer, heart diseases and stroke.

About three out of 10 people in the survey said they have a family member who has had Alzhimer's.

Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a brain disorder among older people that affects a person's ability to carry out their daily activities.

Alzheimer disease usually begins after 60. The risk is higher if a family member has had the disease.

This article is copyrighted by International Business Times, the business news leader