Comparative Analysis of Cancer Incidence Rates in the Health Planning Regions of Virginia

 KEISHA FRAZIER

Advisor: R. Leonard Vance , Ph.D., J.D., P.E., C.I.H., C.S.P., C.H.M.M.

Preceptor: Jim Martin, Ph.D.

Introduction: The fact that cancer incidence rates are higher in some geographic areas than others is a common, but still poorly understood finding. It is unclear, given the limits of available data if such differences indicate an excessively high risk of disease among relatively localized populations (1).

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if there is a difference in cancer incidence rates among the health regions in the state of Virginia. The cancers examined were colorectal, female breast, lung/bronchus, prostate, and urinary bladder.

Methods: Incidence rates were calculated for the five cancers in each health region. Rates were calculated for the years 1996 through 2000. The incidence rates are classified by age and race. Cancer incidence rates were compared by region using a rate ratio calculation.

Results: A total of 85,016 cases of the five cancers were diagnosed in Virginia between 1996 and 2000. The highest colorectal, female breast and lung cancer incidence rates appear to be in more urban regions. More rural regions were found to have higher prostate cancer and urinary bladder cancer incidence rates.

Conclusion: Differences in cancer incidence rates were found between regions. Many of these differences were between urban and rural regions. Further research should be performed to determine causes for these differences. However, a lmost two-thirds of all cancer deaths are related to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity. Regular screening examinations by a health care provider can result in detection of cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, prostate, and urinary bladder. When these cancers are detected early, treatment is more likely to be successful and survival the greatest.