| HEALTH STATUS - Morbidity |
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From 1992 to 1998, the incidence rate of breast cancer among American women increased over 6 percent, from 111.2 per 100,000 population in 1992 to 118.1 in 1998. In 1998, White women had the highest incidence rates of breast cancer (119.9), followed by Black women (99.7). Breast cancer incidence rates increased from 1992 to 1998 among White and Asian/Pacific Islander women.
The colon cancer rate for females overall remained relatively stable, with only a slight (1.6 percent) decrease in incidence rates among U.S. women between 1992 and 1998. In 1998, Black women displayed the highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer, followed by White and then Asian/Pacific Islander women. American Indian/Alaska Native women had a major decrease in the incidence of colon/rectum cancer, while other groups had smaller decreases.
Although death rates from colorectal and lung/brochus cancers are higher than breast cancer death rates, breast cancer is more common among U.S. women. The rate of new cases of breast cancer in 1998 was three times higher than the incidence rates of lung/bronchus and colon/rectum cancers.
Smoking is a significant contributor to lung cancer risk, as well as other types of cancers. To reduce the risk of cancer, health professionals recommend quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthfully. Mammograms are recommended for women aged 40 years and older to screen for breast cancer and, for persons aged 50 and older, fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy are recommended to screen for colorectal cancer.(1)
1 - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 1996. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/prevenix.htm
