Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. There are many different types of cancer, such as lung and colon cancer. In fact, the term “cancer” is used to describe more than 100 diseases. All cancers start when abnormal cells grow out of control and spread throughout the body.
IMPACT WOMEN LUNG AND BREAST CANCER DEATH RATES FOR WOMEN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, 2001-2011
In Jefferson County, cancer is the second leading
AGE-ADJUSTED RATE PER 100,000 FEMALE POPULATION
BREAST CANCER 19.8 DEATHS
cause of death. In 2011, 21% of the deaths in
PER 100,000 WOMEN
the county were due to cancer. While cancer still accounts for a large number of deaths, the
LUNG CANCER 25.5 DEATHS
cancer death rate has been declining over the past 20 years. Lung cancer is the leading cause
PER 100,000 WOMEN
of cancer death for both males and females in Jefferson County.
6.6%
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
JeffCo estimated (2010): $768 million
costs are high for families as well as our country,
CoLORADO (2010): $7.48 Billion
state, and county. Medical treatment for cancer is 24%
one part of the cost equation. These are “direct
7.6%
US (2007): $226.8 Billion
costs”. In addition, there are many indirect costs of cancer, such as lost workdays for those with
8.1%
CANCER
PREVENTION
the right shows total cancer costs for the US, Colorado, and Jefferson County.
Unhealthy Behaviors Contribute to Cancer
Top Modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Increased Risk of Cancer (by type)
TOBACCO USE
here are certain risk
BLADDER Leukemia
factors that influence
MOUTH & THROAT
whether a person will develop cancer. Some
risk factors for cancer we cannot
LUNG
change, and we call these non-modifiable risk factors. These include our
factors we can change (modifiable risk
risk factors that all cancers have in
CERVIX
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
DIET & ALCOHOL USE COLON
OBESITY PANCREAS
avoiding key risk factors123, including:
•
Making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime may help reduce cancer risk.128 has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
ACESS TO CARE Uninsured adults with cancer:
common. More than 30% of cancer deaths could be prevented by
Cigarette smoking causes almost all lung cancer cases, including about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% in women. Men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers and women who smoke are about 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
TOBACCO USE
POOR DIET/ PHYSICAL INACTIVITY
older. However, there are also risk
There are many modifiable
•
BREAST
family history of cancer or growing
factors) to reduce our risk of cancer.
CO PROJECTED (2020): $13.6 Billion
cancer and their caregivers. The graphic on
COLON
T
2001
Source: Vital Sta.s.cs, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Cancer takes a toll on many lives. The financial 6.1%
BREAST
BREAST CANCER LUNG CANCER
COST
LUNG
PROSTATE PANCREAS
60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
LIVER
ALCOHOL USE
•
tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke
•
unhealthy diet, with low fruit and vegetable intake
•
lack of physical activity
STRESS. While stress does not directly cause cancer, it
•
being overweight or obese
may lead to unhealthy behaviors like overeating, tobacco,
•
alcohol use
or alcohol use. We know that overeating, tobacco and
•
sexually transmitted HPV-infection (cervical
alcohol use can increase cancer risk. In this way, stress
cancer)
can play an indirect role in cancer development.
•
Are more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage cancers that can be detected through screening or an exam by a clinician.
•
Are more likely to die or suffer poor outcomes because their cancer was detected at a later stage.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY •
A lack of physical activity has been linked to 21-27% of all breast and colon cancers worldwide.
•
Alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of developing breast, colon, liver, pancreas, and mouth and throat cancers.