Rates Upstate are even worse than some other areas of New York, according to latest figures
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
A recent study by an organization affiliated with Columbia University indicates that compared with the rest of the nation, New York showed higher incidence rates for prevalent cancers, especially among those aged 25 to 49 for several cancers, including breast, colorectal, thyroid, kidney, renal pelvis and leukemia.
Physician Jonathan W. Friedberg, director of UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, noted that in the 27 counties Wilmot serves, which include more than 3 million people, there’s a disproportionately high incidence of cancer. “Indeed, if this catchment area were a state, it would have the second highest incidence of cancer in the country behind only the state of Kentucky.”
It’s challenging to point to a specific reason for the higher rates of cancer incidence. Friedberg noted a few factors include an aging population, high rates of tobacco use and sedentary lifestyle, rural healthcare access challenges and poverty.
“Wilmot has established an office of community outreach and engagement to track these cancer statistics and ensure our research programs are addressing these challenges,” Friedberg said. “We have an aggressive effort to decrease tobacco use and ensure adherence to cancer screening guidelines for early detection. We are also exploring other potential drivers of cancer, for example pesticide use and other toxins in the environment. It is part of our mission to overcome this disparity in cancer incidence.”
Of course, factors like aging and genetics can’t be changed. But many other factors can be. Charles Kamen, Ph.D., assistant director for community outreach and engagement at UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, said that genetic risk predicts only up to 10% of cancers.
“For those who have first-degree relatives — mother, father, sisters, brothers, children — with cancer or many family members with the same type of cancer, genetic counseling and testing may be appropriate to assess genetic risk for cancer,” Kamen said. “Overall, factors like smoking and obesity predict more cancers than genetic factors do and so the best thing anyone can do for their health is work on these controllable risk factors.”
He cited as an example that since smoking has been linked to at least 16 different types of cancer, quitting is vital for good health. Wilmot Tobacco Quit Center can help.
“People who are over age 50 and who have been smoking for 20 years or more should consider getting a lung cancer screening,” Kamen said. “Lung cancer is the most deadly cancer in our catchment area, but screening can catch it early and increase the chance that treatment will be successful.”
In a CDC study from 2017 to 2020, New York ranked among states with a self-reported sedentary rate of 25% to 29%. A handful of Southern states ranked worse. However, New York ranked worst in the Northeast.
Long, cold winters may help explain the low rates of physical activity in the area. However, sedentary lifestyle should be avoided for many reasons, including the fact that it contributes to higher rates of obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases and illnesses, including cancer.
“Walking, yoga, or resistance training with weights can improve overall health, help people attain or maintain a healthy body weight and thereby reduce cancer risk,” Kamen said.
Choosing an activity that is enjoyable and also meets health goals can help people stick with it.