Thursday, July 01, 1999
Expert says cancer blame misplaced
Lifestyle, smoking cause most cases
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
EDGEWOOD — People would rather think that factories, power lines and water supplies cause cancer rather than what more often does — tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles and heredity, says Thomas Tucker, associate director of the Kentucky Cancer Registry.
The registry, at the University of Kentucky, is the state's cancer treatment and diagnosis report clearinghouse. Mr. Tucker visited Northern Kentucky on Wednesday, sharing the most recent report on the incidence of cancer.
Speaking to about 20 health officials at the Edgewood headquarters of the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department, he cited public health studies from Harvard University, which showed that 70 percent of all cancer cases stem from smoking and basic lifestyle choices.
Genetics can be blamed for 10 percent of cancer cases, and the other 20 percent come from external causes, such as water supplies and factories.
Yet, he said, the studies proved that an amazing amount
of research money, 80 percent, targets genetics research; 10 percent investigates environmental connections; and another 10 percent focuses on the strongest tie to cancer — smoking and lifestyle habits.
He also said that Kentucky's relatively high cancer rate most likely is tied to its tobacco use.
The 1997 Cancer Incidence Report notes that Kentucky has a higher rate of cancer than the nation. There are 410.3 cancer incidents for every 100,000 Kentucky residents, compared with the national baseline of 392. The amount is 358.04 per 100,000 for the area represented by the Northern Kentucky health department, which encompasses Boone, Grant, Campbell and Kenton counties. Cancer of the lungs, breasts, prostate and colon are the most common.
The numbers take into account the ages of cancer victims because cancer becomes more frequent as populations age.
Mr. Tucker said health districts throughout the state can use the 1997 registry to request grants to fight cancer in their region. For example, that could include applying for money to provide more screenings, he said.
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