Study reveals high number of cancer deaths in Indiana

While the incidence of cancer among Indiana residents is lower than the U.S. average, the number of cancer deaths in the state is higher, according to a report released recently by the Indiana Cancer Consortium.\nState officials said the disparity shows cancers among state residents are not being diagnosed early enough to allow effective treatment.\n"Obviously this indicates that we're not doing what we can to screen," said Elizabeth Hamilton-Byrd, an employee at the Epidemiology Resource Center at the Indiana State Department of Health. "We can prevent mortality if we screen and detect cancer at an earlier rate."\nThe "Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures" report, which was released last month, states that although people can survive most colon and rectal cancers if they are detected early, only 45 percent of Indiana residents over the age of 50 reported having a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. In the United States, 48.1 percent of adults over 50 have been screened for colon cancer.\nDoris George, of Treaty, Ind., said she had her first colonoscopy two years ago. She was 66 at the time. Though doctors found no signs of cancer, this does not mean she can neglect being screened in the future. There is a history of colon cancer in her family, and her doctor recommended she get another colonoscopy in five years.\n"It's not something you want to do. It's not very pleasant. It's getting prepared for the colonoscopy that's the trouble," George said. "But I plan to go back, definitely."\nDoctors recommend if someone has a history of disease in his or her family, they should get screened earlier. \n"We know that breast cancer is 97 percent survivable if it is detected early enough," said Sharla Cretors-Daniel, communication specialist for the American Cancer Association. "If every woman over 40 had a mammogram every year, we could cut breast cancer deaths in half."\nEach section of the 32-page report begins by outlining the many types of cancers most common among residents of Indiana. For each type it provides information about healthy lifestyle choices people can make to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Some of these choices include eating a healthy diet, protection from the sun and eliminating tobacco use and exercise. Obesity and smoking are among the leading risk factors for cancer in Indiana. \n"These choices alone can have a dramatic impact on cancer," Daniel said. "Eliminating tobacco use could reduce cancer deaths by a third."\nLack of awareness and money are both explanations for why residents are not getting screened. "Insurance can't cover it all. Some people can't come up with $100 out of their pockets for care," Hamilton-Byrd said.\nPeople can be screened for no cost under state-run programs. Leslie Dufner, an employee of the American Cancer Society, encouraged people to be proactive about getting the care they need. Residents can be screened for cancer at the Bloomington Hospital or any hospital in their area.\n"Money is not a good enough excuse," Dufner said.\nFor more information, residents should contact their primary care physicians or log onto www.cancer.org/Indianafacts to view the report.\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu.