Arizona has Lowest Cancer Rates (Phoenix: insurance, homes, school)

[azriverfan.]

This didn't surpise me. The article dispels many of the myths propagated by the haters on this forum namely that Arizona has the highest incidence of skin cancer and that our population comprises mostly of the elderly.


Arizona cancer rate lowest in U.S.

[azaly]

Some good news about Arizona, very encouraging, thanks!

[Minnetonkamari]

Azriverfan,

That's right!

I'm just back from a trip to Phx to research and look at homes for winter residence. When I got back I did some cancer research on CDC, etc, and was so pleasantly surprised. I've read all the hater stuff and was concerned, especially since I'm a pale MN Scandanavian .
Now I know that as long as I use my usual sunscreen and common sense, I have no greater risk than right here in MN. Yippy!!!

Thanks for sharing these FACTS!

[Zippyman]

I wouldn't read anything into a study like that - There's another study out there that shows smokers actually cost less to insure than non-smokers... and it's true!

Smokers die young & fast...

Those who've lived "healthy" lifestyles linger & wither away slowly & expensively.

Perhaps the reason Arizona has "less cancer" is because we have so many uninsured people - who are allowed to die quickly & cheaply....

[AzDreamer]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

I wouldn't read anything into a study like that - There's another study out there that shows smokers actually cost less to insure than non-smokers... and it's true!

One study usually leads to another and after a while some conclusions can be made. I wouldn't be surprised at all if eventually it is determined that vitamin D levels are largely responsible for the different disease rates.

Below is one of dozens of articles on vitamin D and diseases

--

Markedly Higher Vitamin D Intake Needed to Reduce Cancer Risk

ScienceDaily (Feb. 28, 2011) Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha have reported that markedly higher intake of vitamin D is needed to reach blood levels that can prevent or markedly cut the incidence of breast cancer and several other major diseases than had been originally thought.

The findings are published February 21 in the journal Anticancer Research.

Markedly higher vitamin D intake needed to reduce cancer risk, researchers say

[Howard Roark]

That's a timely post, AZDreamer. This year my blood test result showed I have a Vitamin D deficiency. So I was prescribed supplements and have been on them for over a week. I have been a fitness fanatic for life. In good health. I also use sunscreen mostly when I'm back in Phoenix and on my mountain bike. Odd that my other doc last year did not see a deficiency. So maybe this deficiency just appeared. Good to be proactive though. I want to live longer than Jack La Lanne lived!

[AzDreamer]

Originally Posted by Howard Roark

This year my blood test result showed I have a Vitamin D deficiency.

The majority of us will have below recommended vitamin D levels. Supplements are the only way I know to help if you live in Northern lattitudes.

Try to get 15-20 minutes of sun a day as often as possible. Protect your face and maybe the backs of your hands since these areas have already gotten over exposed over the years.

Sciencedaily is a good source for articles about all kinds of health issues.

[Minnetonkamari]

I'm sure people in the SW are somewhat more aware and proactive about sun protection and that may have some impact. Remember this is just skin cancer, they weren't measuring for other cancers. I'm sure other factors go into the results, but I see no reason to doubt a CDC report that's based on numbers of cases and I'm sure it had nothing to do with wether you had insurance or not.

[DellNec]

There was a study done which showed that SUNSCREEN products actually CAUSED skin cancer. The SPF30+ products had synthetic ingredients in them that when applied and absorbed through the skin were actually carcinogenic.

Bone disease, depression & cancers are higher in cloudy areas like Western Washington/Seattle. This is due to a LACK of Vitamin D in the people.

The best way the human body can absorb Vitamin D is not with milk or pills, it is best absorbed through the skin via the suns rays. Vitamin D balance serotonin levels in the brain (which wards off depression) and Vitamin D has been known to attack and prevent cell mutation which can lead to cancers.

Of course sitting in the AZ sun for 10 hours a day is not a wise thing to do either. Moderation.

Now, if you have red hair you probably should not be in the AZ sun for that long. That trait (red hair/freckles) is actually a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein. People with red hair have a very hard time with UV Radiation and the skin cancer rate for them is off the charts.

[DellNec]

Forgot to mention, skin cancer is not always caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Arsenic, as found in some drinking water causes skin cancer also. Plus a host of other things can cause skin cancer, it is not only due to overexposure of the sun/UV radiation.