The city in Louisiana with the highest rates of cancer is St. Landry Parish. In 2019, the rate of cancer cases in St. Landry Parish was 561.6 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average of 482.9 per 100,000 people.
Several factors may contribute to the higher cancer rates in St. Landry Parish. Here are some of the factors:
- Demographics: St. Landry Parish has a high number of older adults, who are more likely to develop cancer. The parish has a larger proportion of African Americans compared to the average for the state. Studies show that African Americans have a higher chance of being diagnosed with specific types of cancer, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
- Socioeconomic factors: St. Landry Parish has a poverty rate that is higher than the average rate for the state. When people are poor, they often can’t get good healthcare. This means they might find out about cancer later and not get treated as quickly.
- Environmental exposures: St. Landry Parish is in an area with a lot of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution can make it more likely for someone to develop certain types of cancer, like lung cancer and bladder cancer.
- Lifestyle factors: In St. Landry Parish, the rate of smoking and obesity is higher than the average rate in the state. Both smoking and obesity greatly increase the risk of developing cancer.
The Louisiana Department of Public Health is taking action to deal with the high cancer rates in St. Landry Parish. They are doing this through a range of initiatives, which include:
- The department provides free and affordable cancer screenings to eligible residents of Louisiana. Getting screened for cancer can help find it early, when it is easier to treat.
- Tobacco prevention programs: Our department’s goal is to stop people in Louisiana from starting to smoke and to assist those who already smoke in quitting. Tobacco use is the main reason why people die in Louisiana and it can be prevented.
- The department teaches people in Louisiana about the things that can increase their chances of getting cancer and how they can lower their chances. The department also works to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of detecting it early.
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There are several things individuals can do to reduce their risk of cancer, in addition to the efforts of the Louisiana Department of Public Health. Some of these include:
- Quitting smoking: Smoking is the main reason why people die in the United States and it can be prevented. Stopping smoking is the most beneficial action you can take for your health.
- Maintaining a healthy weight is important because obesity increases the risk of developing various types of cancer. Keeping a healthy weight can lower your chances of getting cancer.
- Eating a healthy diet can help lower your risk of cancer. This means eating less processed foods and sugary drinks, and eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can lower your chances of getting certain types of cancer, like breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
- Regular cancer screenings are important because they can help find cancer in its early stages, when it is easier to treat. Discuss with your doctor to find out which cancer screenings are appropriate for you.
If you are worried about your chances of getting cancer, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor. They can assist you in evaluating how likely you are to encounter a problem and create a strategy to decrease that likelihood.
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