Related Links American Cancer Society

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Simpson County’s rates for various forms of cancer were generally lower than the district, state and national rates.

A total of 374 cases of cancer were reported in Simpson County from 1997-2001. Simpson County’s rate for all causes of cancer was lower than the latest available rates for the 10-county Barren River Area Development District, the state and the nation.

Reported cases of cancer in Simpson County from 1997-2001 totaled 82 for lung cancer, 58 for female breast cancer, 11 for bladder cancer, 16 for melanoma, three for invasive cervical cancer, 43 for colorectal cancer and 53 for prostate cancer.

Simpson County’s rates for various types of cancer and how they compare are: lung cancer – lower than the district and state and higher than the national rate; female breast cancer – higher than the district and state and lower than the national rate; bladder cancer – lower than the district, state and national rates; melanoma – lower than the district and state and higher than the national rate; invasive cervical cancer – lower than the district, state and national rate; colorectal – lower than the district, state and national rate; and prostate – higher than the district and lower than the state and national rates.

The figures were released by the Barren River District Health Department. All figures in the report were from 1997-2001 except for the U.S. rates which were from 1996-2000.

The Barren River Area Development District consists of 10 counties, including Simpson County.

***

January is Radon Action Month.

Naturally occurring radon gas in homes and buildings is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

The Barren River District Health Department will present the program “Build Radon Out” at the Bowling Green Main Library on Thursday, Jan. 26 from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 6-6:30 p.m.

Call the Barren River District Health Department at 270-781-2490 for more information.

Terry Flynn, Barren River District Health Department Senior Health Environmentalist, will discuss radon on WFKN’s (1220 A.M.) Special Report Jan. 22 and 29. The program airs at 12:30 p.m. each Sunday afternoon.