Subject(s)
Genetic Variation , Genetics, Population , Salmonidae/genetics , Adaptation, Physiological , Animal Migration , Animals , Ecology , Ecosystem , Phenotype , Population DynamicsABSTRACT
Tobacco-related cancers comprise about one third of the newly-diagnosed cancer in South Louisiana. These cancers are three times more common in men than in women. For cancers originating from anatomic sites where there is a direct contact with tobacco, ie, lung, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, and esophagus, incidence rates for blacks are either higher than or similar to the rates for whites. For cancers of the bladder and the kidney, sites which have no direct contact with tobacco products, incidence rates are higher in whites than blacks. In general, white men in South Louisiana tend to have risks significantly higher than national for tobacco-related cancers, in particular, cancers of the lung (31% higher) and the larynx (42% higher). A similar pattern is observed for white females but is less pronounced. Black men in South Louisiana, on the other hand, have significantly lower rates than the SEER averages for cancers of the esophagus, oral cavity, and pharynx. Risks for other tobacco-related cancers are very comparable. There are very small differences in rates for black women between South Louisiana and SEER areas. Tobacco-related cancers are most preventable. Any effective cancer program in Louisiana must emphasize prevention and cessation of tobacco use.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/epidemiology , Smoking/adverse effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Louisiana/epidemiology , Male , Neoplasms/etiology , Risk Factors , Smoking/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Incidence rates for the most common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract are presented for the 5 geographic regions in South Louisiana for the period 1983-1986. The risk of colorectal cancer, the most frequent GI cancer in males and females, is uniformly lower in these regions of South Louisiana than in other areas of the United States. Gastric cancer rates are significantly high in black males, as are pancreatic cancer rates in whites of both sexes compared to national rates.
Subject(s)
Black People , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/etiology , Humans , Incidence , Louisiana/epidemiology , Male , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Cancers of the breast and reproductive system are less common in South Louisiana than other parts of the nation. The only exception is invasive cervical cancer. Incidence rates for breast cancer in South Louisiana women are 20% lower than the SEER combined rates, and rates for cancer of the uterine corpus and the ovary among white women are 43% and 32% lower respectively than the SEER averages. South Louisiana men also have risks 14% (whites) and 30% (blacks) less than the national of developing prostatic cancer. These significantly low rates are observed for all regions in South Louisiana. The reasons for the low rates are not clearly understood. Possible explanations include: less frequent use of cancer screening tests, high prevalence of hysterectomy, lower risk exposures, and host/genetic factors. The low incidence rates for these cancers are not accompanied by more favorable mortality outcomes, suggesting a poorer survival among Louisiana cancer patients partially due to late stage disease at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Programs to increase the accessibility of cancer screening tests and improve early detection are greatly needed.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Genital Neoplasms, Female/epidemiology , Prostatic Neoplasms/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Incidence , Louisiana/epidemiology , Male , Mass Screening , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A cancer control plan for Louisiana has been developed by the Office of Public Health with funding from the National Cancer Institute. Priorities in the plan are the prevention of cancer through tobacco control and improved nutrition and the early detection of cancer through increased access to screening tests. Findings of the task forces and pilot cancer control interventions planned for Louisiana are described.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion/organization & administration , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Humans , Incidence , Louisiana/epidemiology , Mass Screening/organization & administration , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/mortality , Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Smoking Prevention , Survival RateABSTRACT
Excessive cancer rates among blacks in Louisiana are well-documented. Both male and female blacks have higher overall cancer incidence and mortality rates than their white counterparts. Cancers that are excessive in males include lung, esophagus, larynx, stomach, pancreas, liver, multiple myeloma, and prostate. In black females, higher rates are observed for cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, multiple myeloma, cervix, and breast (mortality only). The excess of lung cancer among black men is not observed in women. These cancer sites share similar risk factors and are associated mostly with tobacco or diet. Physicians in Louisiana can play an important role in cancer intervention by informing their black patients about the magnitude of the cancer problem in blacks, increased cancer risk associated with tobacco and excessive alcohol use, importance of a balanced nutritious diet, cancer signs and symptoms, and the importance of early detection.
