Why is cancer rate so high in Maine? (sales, home)

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by msina

Could also have to do with the fact that Maine is the "oldest" State.

I think you're right about that. Having a higher ratio of older folks could skew the numbers.

Breast and uterine cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men generally tend to be discovered later in life, and the rate increases with age. 1 in 4 women develop uterine cancer, typically discovered about the time of menopause.

I just compiled graphs for ages under 50, and 50+, based on stats for all cancers from 1992 to 2008.

The under 50 age group shows incident rates of about 92-97 per 100,000 people, while the 50+ age group shows incident rates of about 1400-1500 per 100,000.

Fast Stats

[mollysmiles]

If we knew why the cancer rate in Maine was high, we'd fix it, but frankly with so many contributors to the diseaseS (so many types of cancer), and many being uneducated about some of those causes (such as the radon gas mentioned in another thread), it's difficult. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know. I'm sure on some level this must have been a rhetorical question.

So, as a cancer survivor I will add this. It doesn't matter *where* you live, it's *how* you live. You can't control everything so that you'll be guaranteed to never "get" cancer. You can control the quality of your own life. Find the place that speaks to your soul and adds value to your life.

[flycessna]

Are there any specific stats that account for age groups..

I believe that genitics have much to do with disease as anything.. knowing your family history and acess to healt care can make a big difference.. and if you know you might be prone to something changing your lifestyle might help delay it or lesson the severity??..

I would agree that Maine is an older state... Maine is also poorer then many other states and being poor brings a host of other issues like smoking, drinking, poor diet, lack of availability to health care, and probably most important... stress.. Stress causes many health conditions.. I have also been hearing that in the northeast (or north) in general that we ALL suffer from a vitamine diffeciency due to the short days half the year..

I try and take things in stride... drink once in while, even smoke a tobacco product once in a great while.. food is my only weakness... But I try to eat plenty of fruits and veggies to balance all the other crap I am eating... and I "TRY" to maintain a low stress life.. I also take a daily vitamine and a low dose asperine..

[elston]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

If we knew why the cancer rate in Maine was high, we'd fix it, but frankly with so many contributors to the diseaseS (so many types of cancer), and many being uneducated about some of those causes (such as the radon gas mentioned in another thread), it's difficult. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know. I'm sure on some level this must have been a rhetorical question.

So, as a cancer survivor I will add this. It doesn't matter *where* you live, it's *how* you live. You can't control everything so that you'll be guaranteed to never "get" cancer. You can control the quality of your own life. Find the place that speaks to your soul and adds value to your life.

Words of wisdom from Mollysmiles....thank you. Living in the moment and appreciating all the blessings of our lives.....finding peace and harmony with others and our enviornment.....eat well and avoid extremes.....may help....and if not....make life worthwhile anyway.

[Kracer]

You need to look at demographics if you are concerned about cancer rates.

To say Maine has high cancer occurrence might be the same as saying Florida has a high stroke rate. Migrants earn their cancer and heart disease in other states.

This is one aspect that needs to be considered that is part of the answer.

What kind of cancer, age of onset, where the person lived and moved to, out of state from NJ moves to Maine reports cancer, becomes a Maine statistic.

As mentioned the granite, arsenic in the water from the geologic structure, as in NJ, and uncontrolled mills dumping toxins for a century in rivers that empty into the sea.
Certain sawdusts are deadly.

Everything has a potential to cause cancer. Ever smell gasoline or live on the downwind side of a heavy trafficed road? Plants take up toxins, fish and shellfish are a collection point.

The older you get the lower your imminuinty the more cancers, etc. Keep a lab rat around long enough and you will probably see cancer. It is also important to look at the people who lived in ME forever and don't have cancer.

Read the fish consumption warning for Maine, or for any other state, and prepare to be shocked. Stripers migrate from the Hudson....[.pcbs/lead slag used as breakwaters] and other points south to souther ME waters.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Are there any specific stats that account for age groups..

If you explore the link I posted, you can create graphs and data sets using many different criteria; including/excluding specific age ranges, types of cancer, racial breakdowns (which could indicate some genetically based information) and other stats.

[cebdark]

Life causes cancer.

Enjoy it (life that is) while you're here.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

If we knew why the cancer rate in Maine was high, we'd fix it, but frankly with so many contributors to the diseaseS (so many types of cancer), and many being uneducated about some of those causes (such as the radon gas mentioned in another thread), it's difficult. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know. I'm sure on some level this must have been a rhetorical question.

So, as a cancer survivor I will add this. It doesn't matter *where* you live, it's *how* you live. You can't control everything so that you'll be guaranteed to never "get" cancer. You can control the quality of your own life. Find the place that speaks to your soul and adds value to your life.

Well said.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by reloop

Life causes cancer.

Enjoy it (life that is) while you're here.

Good idea.

Though in many ways we can also try to lead lifestyles that limit our risk.

[vent radon, limit mercury fish consumption, try to limit snorting asbestos, etc]

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by MainerWannabe

Is that a fact Maineah? I just quit 3 weeks ago, and I'm feeling 1000 times better in my overall disposition!

No it's actually just a perception. 21% of adult Mainers smoke, down from 30% in 1997. 21% is the national average. It's higher in some places than others. However it SEEMS like every other person in Maine you see smokes due to the overall small population of the state. Smoking in school age kids however is rising sharply in Maine. Up 16% in the last decade according to the Portland Press Herald. Glad you quit and good luck with your new smoke free life. I know some people at the Veterans hall I frequent who have smoked all of their lives, are now in their 70's and have finally stopped smoking. One of them said he couldn't believe how much better he feels after just 8 weeks. Food tastes better, no more coughing, things smell better, except now he has to repaint the entire house and change out the carpets to get rid of the old smoke smell. He already can't stand it. I think it's a useless habit but I'm for freedom as long as it does not affect the breathability of other people's air in public places. Smoke all you want to in your car, your home, your camp,a private club, the side of the road, behind the dumpster where you work etc. I'm very glad, however, they banned smoking in restaurants, airplanes, and most other public places. There is no doubt smoking kills. Direct smoking related cancer killed at least five members of my family and second hand smoke contributed to the death of several other family members. Yes they probably all would have been long dead by now but all were dead in their late 50's or early 60's from lung cancer caused primarily by heavy smoking. End of smoking rant for 2011.