Cancer is still a big problem for public health in the US; every year it affects millions of people. Based on statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the second most common cause of death, right behind heart disease.
But the rate of cancer changes a lot between states and regions. This is because of many things, such as lifestyle, environment, genetics, and access to health care.
South Dakota’s High Cancer Rate
South Dakota is one of the states with the highest rates of cancer. It is ranked 11th in the country for new cancer cases and 9th for deaths from cancer. Based on predictions from the American Cancer Society, South Dakota will see about 5,340 new cases of cancer and 1,760 deaths linked to cancer in 2023.
Most of the time, people in the state are identified with breast, prostate, lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, and skin melanoma. Notably, lung and bronchus, breast, prostate, colon and rectum, and pancreas cancer are the main types of cancer that kill people in South Dakota.
Most people in South Dakota get cancer in Sioux Falls
The questionable honor of having the highest cancer rates in South Dakota goes to Sioux Falls. Based on information from the South Dakota Cancer Registry, the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate for Sioux Falls from 2015 to 2019 was 513.7 per 100,000 people. During that time, this rate means that about 514 out of every 100,000 people in Sioux Falls were diagnosed with cancer. This is higher than both the state average of 452.4 per 100,000 and the national average of 442.3 per 100,000.
Cancers that are common in Sioux Falls are similar to those that are common in South Dakota as a whole. These include bladder, lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, and breast. Lung and bronchus, breast, prostate, colon and rectum, and liver cancers are the main causes of death from cancer in Sioux Falls.
What causes the high rate of cancer in Sioux Falls?
There are a number of reasons why cancer rates are higher in Sioux Falls. The CDC says that these factors, which include things like smoking, being overweight, drinking alcohol, not being active, being in the sun, and eating habits, are responsible for about 40% of all cancer cases in the United States.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that environmental exposures and conditions, such as air and water quality, radon levels, pesticide use, and work-related dangers, are also factors in about 19% of all cancer cases in the world.
Also, genetics and family background can make you more likely to get cancer. These factors are thought to be responsible for 5 to 10 percent of all cancer cases in the U.S. Some gene abnormalities, like those in BRCA1 or BRCA2, can make it more likely to get certain cancers, like breast or ovarian cancer.
What can Sioux Falls do to lower the number of cancer cases?
To lower the number of cancer cases in Sioux Falls, people can take both individual and group actions. On a personal level, lowering danger means:
- Either giving up smoking or staying away from people who smoke.
- Keeping a good weight and staying away from obesity.
- limiting how much booze you drink and not drinking too much at once.
- Getting more active and lessening the amount of time spent sitting down.
- Keeping yourself from getting too much sun and using sunscreen.
- Following a healthy diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and good fats.
- Getting regular checkups and screenings to find cancer early.
- Following the suggested vaccination plans to avoid getting infections that can lead to cancer.
- Get medical help right away if you notice signs of cancer.
In Summary
Cancer is a big problem in Sioux Falls and South Dakota, but it’s not impossible to solve. Cancer rates can go down and health results can get better if people know what makes them more likely to get cancer and take steps to lower those risks. By encouraging people to care about each other and work together, Sioux Falls can not only shed its image for having high cancer rates but also work toward having high cancer survival rates and a better quality of life.
