We have been aware for many years that Rhode Island has a cancer problem. The statistics have indicated that our death rate from cancer in general has been consistently above the national average, even when you consider that the population of Rhode Island is older than the general population of the United States and that this is a Northeast old, industrial community. Making all of these adjustments statistically, we still come up with above the national average deaths from cancer. We have recently seen the national data on cancer during the last decade which has been very encouraging in that the trend is for increased survival overall, and specifically in breast cancer, prostate cancer, and to some extent colon cancer. The data for Rhode Island for the period of 1994 to 1998 is less encouraging.

Lung cancer, which is a disease that can be almost completely eradicated by tobacco control, occurs between 15 – 20% more frequently than the national average for both men and women. Our death rate from a disease that has a very high death rate nationally remains approximately 10% higher than the national average. That's pretty hard to do.

Colorectal cancer: This is a cancer that early detection can eradicate or render highly curable. Our incidence is running higher than the national average and our death rates are over 20% above the national average for both men and women. The difficulty is that less than half of the people in Rhode Island over the age of 50 who should be having regular screening for colon cancer are having any tests done. Because of this, polyps that are still benign are allowed to remain in place until they become cancerous. They are found at a late stage so that our overall incidence is higher as well as our death rate. This is a completely reversible situation if screening were performed regularly. Every man and woman over 50 should have colorectal screening regularly.

Breast cancer, when detected early by mammography and clinical breast examination, is highly curable and yet, in Rhode Island, we have a 10% higher death rate from breast cancer than the national average. Women under the age of 60 are having their mammograms regularly. Rhode Island has one of the highest mammography utilizations in the country, but less than half of the women over 62 (the Medicare population) are having regular mammograms. Yet this is the population that has an ever-increasing cancer incidence and needs continuous surveillance. Thus, the very population who should be screened are failing to go for their mammography and, with our increase in the elderly in Rhode Island, our death rate is higher than the national average.

Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer in men and is a particularly virulent disease in African-Americans. It would appear that our incidence of prostate cancer in Rhode Island is 15% above the national average and our death rate is 8% above the national average. Regular prostate screening with a simple blood test (PSA) can lead to an early diagnosis of prostate cancer. In African-Americans screening should be started in their early 40s and in Caucasian men starting at age 50. Nationally the death rate from prostate cancer has been coming down and is probably associated with this increased surveillance for early prostate cancer.

By being aware of the simple health measures of preventing lung cancer by not smoking, by preventing and detecting colorectal cancer by regular screening, similarly detecting early breast cancer by mammography in young and older women, and prostate cancer by a blood test, we can change the outlook for the major cancers in Rhode Island. Being cancer smart can save your life!

For more information and answers to specific questions contact the Rhode Island Cancer Council at Tel@ricancercouncil.org or call us at (401) 728-4800 or toll free 866-879-4100.

IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT CANCER THAN TO TREAT IT.

If you found this information helpful, please consider making a donation to the Rhode Island Cancer Council so we may continue adding content to our website and providing valuable services to Rhode Island residents. Please click the Donate icon to the left to make a donation via credit card or your PayPal account.

See also: