This Colorado City Has the Highest Cancer Rates in the State

Denver has the highest cancer rates in Colorado. In 2019, the rate of cancer cases in Denver was 541.7 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the average rate of 482.9 per 100,000 people in the state.

Several factors may contribute to the higher cancer rates in Denver. Here are some of the factors:

• Demographics: Denver has a lot of older adults, who are more likely to develop cancer. The city has more 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: Denver has a poverty rate that is higher than the average rate for the state. Individuals who are poor are less likely to be able to get good healthcare. This can cause them to find out about cancer later and get treatment later.
• Denver 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 Denver, there are more people who smoke and are obese compared to the average for the state. Both smoking and obesity greatly increase the risk of developing cancer.

The Colorado Department of Public Health is taking action to tackle the high cancer rates in Denver. They are doing this through a range of initiatives, which include:

• The department provides free and affordable cancer screenings to Coloradans who meet the requirements. 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 Colorado from starting to smoke and to assist those who already smoke in quitting. Tobacco use is the main reason why people die in Colorado and it can be prevented.
• The department teaches people in Colorado about the things that can increase their chances of getting cancer and how they can lower their risk. 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 lower their risk of cancer, in addition to the efforts of the Colorado Department of Public Health. Some of these include:

• Quitting smoking: Smoking is the main reason why many 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 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 early, when it is easier to treat. Discuss with your doctor to find out which cancer screenings are suitable for you.

If you are worried about your chances of getting cancer, it’s important to have a conversation 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.