• Breast cancer was the leading cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 182,460 women in the U.S., including 4,680 women in Virginia, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.
• Breast cancer was the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women. An estimated 40,480 women will die from breast cancer nationwide, including 1,140 women in Virginia, in 2008. Breast cancer will account for 26% of all new cancer cases and 16% of all cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Between 2001 and 2005, Virginia women were diagnosed with breast cancer at a rate of 120.1 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 26.4 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. incidence rate was 126.1 cases and the mortality rate was 25 deaths per 100,000. Virginia had the ninth (9th) highest breast cancer mortality rate among all states.
• Three out of four (76.6%) cases of breast cancer occurred among women ages 50 and older. One-in-eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
• White and black women in Virginia were diagnosed with breast cancer at similar rates; however, black women had a mortality rate 42% higher than that of white women.
• National data indicates that Asian, Hispanic and American Indian women had lower breast cancer incidence and mortality rates.
• According to a 2006 state health behavior survey, 76.5% of women 40 years and older had a mammogram within the past two years—same as the national rate. Mammography rates were lowest among women who were younger (less than age 50), less educated, lower income, uninsured, and living with a disability. Cumberland Plateau (64.7%), Lord Fairfax (65.1%), and Roanoke City (68.5%) had the lowest mammography screening rates among the 35 health districts.The five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 98% if diagnosed early.1 Breast cancer is treatable when detected early. In Virginia, 60% of women were diagnosed with breast cancer in its earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. White women (62%) were diagnosed early more often than black women (52%).From 1995 to 2005, the breast cancer incidence rate in Virginia climbed steadily and peaked in 2000, after which it declined. The mortality rate declined by about 17% during the same time period.
• Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer for women (following skin cancer), and the second leading cause of death due to cancer (after lung cancer).
• In Virginia, about 23,900 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2000 and 2004. The rate at which women are diagnosed with breast cancer (incidence rate) is 121.9 cases per 100,000 women. In other words, for every 100,000 women, 122 are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The national rate is 127.8 per 100,000 women.
• In Virginia, about 5,300 women died from breast cancer between 2000 and 2004. The rate at which women die from breast cancer (mortality rate) is 27.0 deaths per 100,000 women (U.S. = 25.5 per 100,000).
• Overall, there is a 1-in-8 chance that a woman will develop invasive breast cancer sometime within her lifetime. The likelihood increases as a woman gets older. For example, a woman has a 1-in-210 chance of developing breast cancer before age 40. However, a woman age 60 to 69 years has a 1-in-28 chance of developing breast cancer.
• In Virginia, white (non-Hispanic) women are more likely than Black (non-Hispanic) women to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.2 However, Black women are more likely than white women to die from breast cancer.
• Nationwide, 89% of women who are diagnosed and treated for invasive breast cancer are likely to survive five years after diagnosis (referred to as the five-year survival rate). The survival rate is better (98%) if a woman is diagnosed at a local (early) stage of the disease, when the disease is confined to the breast. If a woman is diagnosed at a distant (later) stage, when the cancer has spread to other distant organs and tissues, the survival rate is only 27%.
• In Virginia, 49% of breast cancers diagnosed between 2000 and 2004 were diagnosed at a local stage of the disease. About 4% of breast cancers were diagnosed at a distant stage. Black women are less likely than white women to be diagnosed at a local stage. This may partly explain why black, non-Hispanic women are more likely to die from invasive cancer.
• In a 2004 risk behavior survey (BRFSS), 59% of Virginia women age 40 years or older report that they had a mammogram within the past year. The nationwide rate is 58%. Older women (age 65+) are more likely than younger women (age 40-64) to get a mammogram. Black (64%) and Hispanic women (62%) are more likely than white women (59%) to have a mammogram. Women with fewer years of education, who make less income and have no health insurance are less likely to get a mammogram. Just over half (54%) of women with less than a high-school education had a mammogram in the past year. Only about a third (36%) of women with no health insurance had a mammogram.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08 SOURCE: www.VAHealth.org/breastcancer / July 08

• Lung cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 215,020 people in the U.S., including 5,340 people in Virginia, will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008.
• Lung cancer was the leading cause of death due to cancer in the U.S. and in Virginia. An estimated 161,840 people will die from lung cancer nationwide, including 4,600 people in Virginia, in 2008. Lung cancer will account for 14-15% of all new cancer cases diagnosed and 26-31% of all cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Between 2001 and 2005, Virginians were diagnosed with lung cancer at a rate of 66.7 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 56.8 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. incidence rate was 63.9 cases and the mortality rate was 54.1 deaths per 100,000. Virginia had the 18th highest lung cancer mortality rate overall (17th for men, 23rd for women) among all states.
• Nine of ten (94%) lung cancer cases occurred among people ages 50 and older.3 One-in-13 (7.9%) men and one-in-16 (6.2%) women will be diagnosed with lung cancer during their lifetime.
• In Virginia, men, especially black men, had higher rates of being diagnosed with and dying from lung cancer. White women had higher rates than black women of being diagnosed with lung cancer, but their mortality rates were similar. National data indicates that Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians had lower lung cancer incidence and mortality rates.
• From 1995 to 2005, lung cancer incidence in Virginia had been declining until 2003 when it spiked—mainly due to an increase in females being diagnosed with lung cancer. Lung cancer mortality has been declining slightly over the years.
• The five-year relative survival rate for lung cancer is 50% if diagnosed early. In Virginia, 18% of lung cancer cases were diagnosed in the earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. Women and whites were more often diagnosed early than either men or blacks.
• Cigarette smoking (and other tobacco use) is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Smoking is linked to 30% of all cancers diagnosed and 87% of all lung cancer deaths. According to a 2006 state health behavior survey, 19.3% of Virginians currently smoke—similar to the national rate of 20%. Current smoking rates were highest among adults who were male, under age 45, less educated, lower income, uninsured, and living with a disability. Crater (31.3%), Lenowisco (31.2%), and Mount Rogers (29%) had the highest smoking rates among the 35 health districts.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Colorectal cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 148,810 people in the U.S., including 3,690 people in Virginia, will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008.
• Colon cancer was the third leading cause of death due to cancer in the U.S. and in Virginia. An estimated 49,960 people will die from colon cancer nationwide, including 1,260 people in Virginia, in 2008. Colon cancer will account for 10% of all new cancer cases diagnosed and 8-9% of all cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Between 2001 and 2005, Virginians were diagnosed with colon cancer at a rate of 48.6 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 18.9 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. incidence rate was 50.6 cases and the mortality rate was 18.8 deaths per 100,000.
• Nine of ten (90%) colon cancer cases were diagnosed in people 50 and older. One-in-18 (5.65%) men and one-in-20 (5.23%) women will be diagnosed with colon cancer during their lifetime.
• In Virginia, men were more likely to die from colon cancer than women. Black men and black women were more likely to die from colon cancer than their white counterparts. Incidence rates were also greater among men and blacks.
• Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians have lower colon cancer incidence and mortality rates, although colon cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in these groups.2
• From 1995 to 2005, the colon cancer incidence rate increased slightly in Virginia, while the death rate declined by 31%.
• The five-year relative survival rate for colon cancer is 90% if diagnosed early. Colon cancer is treatable when detected early. In Virginia, 36% of colon cancer cases were diagnosed in the earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. Women and whites were more often diagnosed early than either men or blacks.
• According to a 2006 state health behavior survey, 65% of Virginians 50 and older had an endoscopic test (e.g., colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy) at some point in their lifetime—above the national average of 57%. One-in-four (26%) Virginians had a home blood stool test in the past two years (the national rate was 24%). Rates of colon endoscopy were lowest among adults who were ages 50-59, less educated, lower income, and uninsured. Cumberland Plateau (42.5%), Roanoke City (46.5%), and Pittsylvania/Danville (50.4%) had the lowest colon endoscopy rates among the 35 health districts.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Cervical cancer was not among the top ten cancers diagnosed among women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the ACS, an estimated 11,070 women in the U.S., including 260 women in Virginia, will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008.
• Cervical cancer was even more rare as a cause of death among women. An estimated 3,870 women will die from cervical cancer nationwide in 2008. On average, fewer than 90 deaths from cervical cancer occurred each year in Virginia between 2001 and 2005.
• Between 2001 and 2005, women were diagnosed with cervical cancer at a rate of 6.9 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 2.2 deaths per 100,000. Nationwide, the incidence and mortality rates were, respectively, 8.4 cases and 2.5 deaths per 100,000.
• More than half (54%) of cervical cancer cases in Virginia were diagnosed in women under age 50. Women have less than one percent (<1%) chance of being diagnosed with cervical cancer during their lifetime.
• In Virginia, black women were more likely to be diagnosed with and die from cervical cancer than white women. National data indicates that Hispanic women had the highest cervical cancer incidence rate (13.2) among all racial and ethnic groups. Asian and American Indian women had lower incidence rates.
• From 1995 to 2005, the cervical cancer incidence rate in Virginia declined by 27%. The cervical cancer mortality rate also declined with a noticeable decrease after 2003.
• The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 92% if diagnosed early. Cervical cancer is treatable when detected early. In Virginia, 46% of women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in its earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. White women (49%) were diagnosed early more often than black women (39%).
• According to a 2006 state health behavior survey, 86% of women 18 years and older had a Pap test within the past three years—similar to the national rate of 85.7%. Pap test screening rates were lowest among women who were either younger (< 25 years) or older (≥ 65 years), less educated, lower income, and uninsured. Cumberland Plateau (75.1%), Alleghany (76.7%), and Mount Rogers (78.9%) had the lowest Pap test screening rates among the 35 health districts.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Melanoma was among the top ten cancers diagnosed among men and women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 62,480 people in the U.S., including 1,620 people in Virginia, will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2008. Melanoma will account for 4-5% of all new cancer cases in the US.
• Melanoma is rare as a cause of death among people in the U.S. and in Virginia. An estimated 8,420 people will die from melanoma nationwide in 2008. On average, fewer than 205 deaths from melanoma occurred each year in Virginia between 2001 and 2005.
• Between 2001 and 2005, Virginians were diagnosed with melanoma at a rate of 17.1 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 2.9 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. incidence and mortality rates were, respectively, 19.4 cases and 2.7 deaths per 100,000. Virginia had the 20th highest melanoma mortality rate (9th for women) among all states.
• One-third (34%) of melanoma cases are diagnosed in people under age 50. People in the U.S. have a 1.8% chance of being diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime.
• In Virginia, whites, and particularly white males, have the highest incidence and mortality rates from melanoma. However, fewer blacks are diagnosed with melanoma at an early stage, compared to whites. National data indicates that Hispanics, Asians and American Indians have lower melanoma incidence and mortality rates.
• From 1995 to 2005, the melanoma incidence rate in Virginia increased by 66%--from 12.2 to 20.3 cases per 100,000--while the mortality rate remained steady.
• The five-year relative survival rate for melanoma is 98.7% if diagnosed early. Melanoma is treatable when detected early. In Virginia, 74% of people were diagnosed with melanoma in its earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable.
• According to a 2004 state health behavior survey, 35% of Virginia adults reported having a sunburn in the past 12 months. Men, non-Hispanic whites, and young adults were more likely to report previous sunburn. Chickahominy (48.6%), Chesapeake (44.9%), and Alleghany (44.7%) had the highest sunburn rates among the 35 health districts

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Oral cancer is among the top ten most commonly diagnosed cancers, particularly for men in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 35,310 people in the U.S.will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2008. On average, 725 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed each year in Virginia between 2001 and 2005.
• Oral cancer is even more rare as a cause of death. An estimated 7,590 people will die from oral cancer nationwide in 2008. On average, 170 deaths from oral cancer occurred each year in Virginia between 2001 and 2005.
• Between 2001 and 2005, Virginians were diagnosed with oral cancer at a rate of 9.8 cases per 100,000,3 and died at a rate of 2.4 deaths per 100,000. The national incidence and mortality rates were, respectively, 10.4 cases and 2.6 deaths per 100,000.2
• Four of five (81%) oral cancer cases are diagnosed in adults ages 50 and older. Men have a 1.4% chance of being diagnosed with oral cancer during their lifetime, while the probability for women is less than one percent (0.7%).
• In Virginia, men are 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed and to die from oral cancer, compared to women. Black men were more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer and twice as likely to die from oral cancer than white men. National data indicates Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians had lower oral cancer incidence and mortality rates.
• From 1995 to 2005, the oral cancer annual incidence rate in Virginia declined slightly while the mortality rate declined by a third—from 3.2 to 2.1 deaths per 100,000.
• The five-year relative survival rate for oral cancers is 60% if diagnosed early. In Virginia, a third (33%) of all oral cancer cases were diagnosed in its earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. Women were more often diagnosed at an early stage compared to men (41.6% versus 28.9%). Whites were more often diagnosed at an early stage compared to blacks (35% vs. 23.7%).
• According to a 2005 state health behavior survey, about three percent of adults currently use smokeless tobacco, which is a major risk factor for developing oral cavity cancer. Survey findings from 2006 indicate that 42% of adults 40 years and older had a healthcare provider check their mouth for signs of oral cancer within the past 12 months, which is higher than the previous year’s rate of 39%. Cumberland Plateau (15.3%), Lenowisco (20.3%), Piedmont (26.7%), and Mount Rogers (27.4%) had the lowest oral cancer screening rates among the 35 health districts. These areas also had high rates of smokeless tobacco use.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Ovarian cancer is ranked eighth (8th) and seventh (7th), respectively, among the top cancers diagnosed among women in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 21,650 women in the U.S., will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. An average of 484 cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed each year in Virginia from 2001 through 2005.
• Ovarian cancer is the fifth (5th) most common cause of death due to cancer among women in the U.S. and Virginia. An estimated 15,520 women will die from ovarian cancer nationwide, including 390 women from Virginia, in 2008. Ovarian cancer accounts for three percent of all new cancer cases and six percent of all cancer deaths among women in the U.S.
• Between 2001 and 2005, women were diagnosed at a rate of 12.1 cases per 100,000, and died from ovarian cancer at a rate of 8.9 deaths per 100,000. In the U.S., the incidence rate was 13.3 cases, and the mortality rate was 8.8 deaths per 100,000.
• Four of five (80%) ovarian cancer cases were diagnosed in women age 50 and older. Women have a one percent (1.4%) chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetime.
• In Virginia, white women were more likely than black women to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer (12.7 versus 9.6 per 100,000). However, both groups had similar rates of dying from ovarian cancer. National data indicates that Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian women had lower ovarian incidence and mortality rates than white women.
• Chesterfield (14.7 per 100,000), New River (14.6) and Eastern Shore (14.4) health districts had the highest rates of diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the state (Figure 1).

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08

• Prostate cancer was the leading cancer diagnosed among men in the U.S. and in Virginia. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 186,320 men in the U.S., including 4,430 men in Virginia, will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008.
• Prostate cancer was the second leading cause of death among men in the U.S. and Virginia. An estimated 28,860 men will die from prostate cancer nationwide, including 630 men in Virginia, in 2008. Prostate cancer will account for 25% of all new cancer cases and 10% of all cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Between 2001 and 2005, men were diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate of 156.5 cases per 100,000, and died at a rate of 30.1 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. incidence and mortality rates were, respectively, 163.0 cases and 26.7 deaths per 100,000. Virginia had the seventh (7th) highest prostate cancer mortality rate among all states.
• Men have a one-in-six chance of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime, with most prostate cancer cases occurring after age 70.
• In Virginia, black men have a 67% greater risk of developing prostate cancer and have a mortality rate 2.5 times greater than that of white men. National data indicates that Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian men had lower prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates among all racial and ethnic groups.
• From 1995 to 2001, the prostate cancer incidence rate in Virginia increased, after which it began a decline. Between 1995 and 2005, the prostate cancer mortality rate decreased by 35%.
• The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100% if diagnosed early. Prostate cancer is treatable when detected early. In Virginia, 72% of men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in its earliest (local) stage when it’s most curable. White men (75%) and black men (70%) were diagnosed at an early stage at similar rates.
• According to a 2006 state health behavior survey, 54% of men 40 years and older had a PSA test within the past two years—similar to the national rate of 53.8%. Rates of prostate cancer screening, specifically, PSA testing, were lowest among men who were lower income and uninsured. Black men—a group at higher risk—had one of the highest screening rates. Lenowisco (42.4%), New River (45.5%), and Rappahannock (47.1%) had the lowest PSA test rates among the 35 health districts.

SOURCE: Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Project / November 08