Cancer Health

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Cancer is not one disease, but a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division and the ability of those cells to invade other cells. Only a few decades ago many people thought that there was little that they could do to protect themselves against cancer. In recent years, research studies have discovered more about how cancers develop and what biological and environmental factors increase cancer risk. We now have better technologies for early detection of cancer. There are more options for diagnosis and improved therapies and treatment.

More important, is that we know steps people can take to protect themselves against cancer. By being active and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables people can lower their overall cancer risk. Consumption of tobacco products is the biggest contributor to cancer morbidity. Through smoking cessation and improved dietary habits, such as reducing fat consumption and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, it is estimated that as much as 50 percent or more of cancer can be prevented. Increased leisure time exercise and weight control also contribute to cancer health.⁸⁰

Scientific data from randomized trials of cancer screenings, together with expert opinions, indicate that adherence to screening recommendations for cancers of the breast, cervix, and colon/rectum reduces deaths from these cancers.⁸¹

Among the emerging ventures by researchers to address cancer are use of new vaccines. Now, in the hands of healthcare providers, are new FDA approved vaccines effective in protecting against some of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) that are known to cause cervical cancer. It is now widely known that persistent HPV infections can lead to cervical cancer. These vaccines have the potential to reduce the anxiety and medical care required after abnormal Pap tests including, biopsies and other invasive procedures.⁸²

Several types of cancer can be prevented and the prospect for surviving cancer with treatment continues to improve. To reduce the impact of cancer it is necessary to keep up endeavors to develop resources in the community. Sustained efforts are needed to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information on prevention, early detection, and treatment to the public and health care professionals. It is necessary to develop public policy regarding preventive health measures and provide community residents with access to the available state-of-the-art preventive services and treatments. It is also important that ventures in cancer research be sustained. Researchers should engage with the community in culturally appropriate strategies to encourage participation in clinical trials to ensure that treatments serve the populations who need them. Prevention strategies are emerging for cancers based on genetic information. Genetic information may provide the foundation for improved effectiveness in clinical and preventive medicine services.

Fruits and vegetables

About one-third of cancer deaths may be linked to nutrition. A low-fat, plant-based diet is the best insurance against almost all cancers.⁸³ The Healthy People 2010 goal is that 75 percent of the population eat adequate amounts of fruit and 50 percent eat adequate amounts of vegetables.

Fruit consumption

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that people eat two or more servings of fruit a day. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) asks respondents how many times a day they eat fruit, but not the serving size. In 2005, only 14 percent of Texans reported that they consume two servings of fruit a day. In Bexar County, 16 percent reported that they meet this standard. This is down from 20 percent in 2002. The downward trend appears to have occurred across the state. It is possible that recent public attention to diets such as the “Atkins,” “South Beach,” and other widely discussed diets have had an impact on fruit consumption.

The size of the BRFSS sample is not large enough to produce reliable estimates of the percent of persons living in the sectors in the south of Bexar County who consume fruits two or more times a day, except for the West sector^β. An average of 15 percent of residents of the southern sectors report eating fruit two or more times a day. In the sectors in the north of Bexar County an average of 18 percent indicated they eat fruits two or more times a day. In the North Central sector 23 percent report meeting the standard, but only 14 percent of those in the Northeast sector report eating fruits two or more times a day.

Vegetable consumption

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that people eat three or more servings of vegetables a day. The BRFSS asks respondents how many times a day they eat vegetables, but not the serving size. In 2005, only 28 percent of Texans reported that they consume vegetables three or more times per day. In Bexar County, 27 percent reported they meet this standard. There appears to be little change in the percentage of respondents across the state who report eating three or more vegetables a day.

The size of the BRFSS sample is not large enough to produce reliable estimates of the percent of persons living in the sectors in the south of Bexar County who consume vegetables three or more times a day except, for the West sector. An average of 22 percent of residents of the southern sectors report eating vegetables three or more times a day. Thirty-six percent of residents in the West sector report eating vegetables three or more times a day. In the sectors in the north of Bexar County an average of 31 percent indicates they eat vegetables three or more times a day. Only 22 percent of those in the Northeast sector report eating vegetables three or more times a day. In the North Central sector, 50 percent report meeting the Healthy People 2010 goal.