This Georgia City Has the Highest Cancer Rates in the State

Atlanta has the highest cancer rates in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. In 2019, the rate of cancer cases in Atlanta, adjusted for age, was 541.7 per 100,000 people. This 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 Atlanta. One reason is that the city has a lot of older adults, who are more likely to get cancer. Another reason is that Atlanta has a higher smoking rate compared to the average rate in the state. Smoking causes lung cancer and other types of cancer, like bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer.

Aside from smoking, there are several other factors that might contribute to the higher cancer rates in Atlanta. These factors include:

• Atlanta 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.
• Diet and nutrition: If you eat a lot of processed foods and sugary drinks, you have a higher chance of getting certain types of cancer, like colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
• Obesity: Being overweight increases the chances of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer. Atlanta has a higher obesity rate compared to the average rate in the state.
• Lack of access to healthcare: When people cannot regularly get healthcare screenings, they are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage. This makes it harder to treat the cancer. Atlanta has more people without health insurance compared to the average for the entire state.

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The Georgia Department of Public Health is taking action to tackle the high cancer rates in Atlanta. They are doing this through various initiatives, such as:

• The department provides free and affordable cancer screenings to eligible people in Georgia. Getting screened for cancer can help find it early, when it is easier to treat.
• Tobacco prevention programs: The department’s goal is to stop people in Georgia from starting to smoke and to assist those who already smoke in quitting. Tobacco use is the main reason why people in Georgia die and it could have been prevented.
• The department teaches Georgians 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.

Cancer is a complicated disease that has many different causes. Cancer rates in Atlanta are higher than in other parts of Georgia, but there isn’t just one reason for this. However, the factors mentioned above are all known to increase the chances of getting cancer.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is taking action to deal with the high rates of cancer in Atlanta. They are doing this by implementing different initiatives such as cancer screening programs, programs to prevent tobacco use, and campaigns to educate the public.