According to the West Virginia Cancer Registry, Huntington, West Virginia, has the highest cancer rates of any city in the state. The city’s age-adjusted cancer incidence rate is 623.4 cases per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 542.3 cases per 100,000 people.
Reasons for the high cancer rates in Huntington
Huntington has a high rate of cancer, and there are several reasons that could explain this. The demographics of the city are one of the factors. Huntington has a larger percentage of elderly persons than the state average, and older adults are more likely to develop cancer than younger adults. The city’s economic position is another consideration. The poverty rate in Huntington is higher than the state average, and poverty is linked to a greater chance of developing cancer.
Huntington’s high cancer rates may also be influenced by environmental variables. The city is situated in an area with a lot of air pollution, which can raise the chances of developing lung cancer. Huntington also includes a variety of industrial sites, which could potentially leak carcinogens into the air and water.
Certain forms of cancer that are common in Huntington
The West Virginia Cancer Registry also discovered that Huntington had high rates of some types of cancer, such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.
- Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Huntington. The incidence rate of lung cancer in the city is 120.3 cases per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 94.3 occurrences per 100,000 people when adjusted for age.
- Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer in Huntington. The city’s age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence rate is 69.3 cases per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 61.3 cases per 100,000 people.
- Breast cancer is the third most frequent type of cancer in Huntington. The city’s age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rate is 165.3 cases per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 150.3 occurrences per 100,000 people.
Public health initiatives aimed at solving the issue
Officials in Huntington who are responsible for public health are striving to alleviate the city’s high rates of cancer. They are concentrating on preventing cancer and detecting it in its early stages. They are also making efforts to make cancer care more accessible.
Huntington has implemented a number of specialized public health projects, including:
- Tobacco prevention and cessation: Public health professionals are striving to reduce tobacco usage in Huntington. This involves informing the public about the risks of smoking and providing initiatives to help people quit using tobacco.
- Cancer screening: Public health officials are making efforts to raise the number of people getting screened for cancer in Huntington. This includes providing free or low-cost cancer screenings and informing the public about the significance of early detection.
- Access to cancer care: Public health officials are attempting to make cancer care more accessible in Huntington. This involves working with local healthcare providers to provide cancer care services and offering financial help to those who have cancer.
Ways that Huntington citizens may help lower cancer rates
Residents of Huntington can take a number of actions to assist lower the rates of cancer, including:
- Stop smoking: In the United States, smoking is the number one cause of death that could have been avoided. One of the best ways to lower the risk of cancer is to stop smoking.
- Make sure to get frequent cancer screenings: Finding cancer early can result in better outcomes. People should see their doctor to determine whether cancer screenings are appropriate for them.
- Support public health initiatives: Officials are working to reduce the high cancer rates in the city. People can help promote public health programs by donating money to local cancer organizations and volunteering their time.
Final Thoughts
The city of Huntington, West Virginia has the highest cancer rates in the entire state. The city’s high cancer rates can be attributed to a variety of factors, including demography, economic status, and environmental conditions. A number of efforts are being implemented by public health officials and people of Huntington in an effort to lower the city’s cancer rates.
West Virginia City Has Been Named the Highest Cancer Rates(Website)