Risk Reduction

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Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Colorado. Lifestyle, genetic and non- genetic factors, independently or in combination, can increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer. Changes in lifestyle, including reduction in tobacco use and modification of the diet to reduce fat and increase fiber consumption, and early detection and intervention, can significantly reduce mortality from some cancers. Reductions in cancer incidence achieved through risk factor interventions may also reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.

Screening interventions that result in early detection will have a proportionally greater impact upon cancer mortality, because cancer is more likely to respond to treatment when detected at an early stage. Screening interventions continue to need support. Mammography screening has led to increased early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Endoscopic and fecal occult blood testing, if more widely used, could further decrease mortality from colorectal cancer. The Pap test continues to be a powerful tool for early detection of pre-malignt lesions and cervical cancer in women.

  • Eliminating tobacco use can decrease the risk for pancreatic, kidney and urinary bladder cancer, as well as for the more familiar lung, colorectal, head and neck, and cervical cancers. Higher-than-moderate alcohol intake can increase the risk for breast, esophageal, and head and neck cancers.
  • High dietary fat can increase the risk for colon, gallbladder, prostate and breast cancer. Increased fiber, fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease the risk for colon cancer. Regular exercise may decrease the risk of breast and colon cancer.
  • The Colorado Cancer Coalition would like to ensure that the Colorado public is aware of the beneficial impacts that lifestyle changes have on reducing cancer.

Additional determinants of cancer include genetics and environmental exposures.

An individual’s genetic background can also be a  determinant of cancer risk. It is important to understand that about 5-10% of cancers are related to genetic predisposition. An increased risk for colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, and thyroid cancers, as well as malignant melanoma, exists for persons with first- degree relatives with a history of these respective types of cancer.  Women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are at an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The CCC would like to heighten general awareness of these factors.

Testing and mitigation of radon exposure, because of its effect on lung cancer risk, are ongoing processes in the state.

Comments  

 
0 #3 2011-08-04 16:00
It is imperative that large-scale efforts to emphasize the importance of risk reduction in cancer prevention be instituted beginning in childhood where behaviors with regards to lifestyle and diet, for example, are still highly modifiable. These should be implemented on a national scale through government policy involving schools and the general community similar to the current campaigns to control obesity rates in the country. Only this time, the focus will be on cancer prevention itself through risk factor modification.
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0 #2 2011-08-04 11:32
Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in Colorado. Despite our generally low rates of tobacco use in the state, there is still a great deal of work that should be done to address smoking and lung cancer in this state with particular regard to inequalities. Minorities and the poor are much more likely to smoke and particular effort targeted at these communities would have a great impact on lung cancer incidence and mortality. I understand the challenges both logistically and financially but I hope that the tax revenue from cigarette taxes is re-appropriated back to public health efforts and away from budget balancing. Using this funding toward tobacco cessation programs or expanding Medicaid to cover pharmacological tobacco cessation could have very positive results on lung cancer disparities in Colorado.
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0 #1 Cathy Bledsoe 2011-08-04 09:41
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Colorado when compared to all forms of cardiovascular disease (including heart disease, stroke, hypertensive renal disease, aneurysm, etc.), but it is the leading cause when cardiovascular diseases are broken up. I typically see heart disease and stroke reported separately, for example. I think these distinctions are important, as they are reported using different definitions in different publications. I think we need to be sure we cite our sources in the Cancer Plan, so that readers can sort out conflicts like this one. Thanks!
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