Georgia epidemiology report, Vol. 21, no. 3 (Mar. 2005)

March 2005

volume 21 number 03

Cancer Incidence in Georgia: Highlights from the Georgia Cancer Data Report 2004

Introduction
During 1999-2000, an annual average of 30,188 new invasive cancer cases were diagnosed in Georgia: 15,494 among males and 14,694 among females.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Georgia, accounting for 22% of all deaths during 1997-2001 (Figure 1), about 13,322 per year. Lung and bronchus (30%), colon and rectum (9%), breast (8%), and prostate (6%) account for 53% of all cancer deaths and 58% of all invasive cancer incidence.
Methods
The Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (GCCR) is a population-based cancer registry that has been collecting information on all newly diagnosed cases of cancer in Georgia since 1995 excluding basal and squamous cell skin cancers. The GCCR is operated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, and is part of a

national effort to gain better understanding of cancer in the population. The data are used to estimate cancer incidence rates within Georgia, monitor cancer trends, evaluate possible clusters of cancer, respond to inquiries about cancer from the public, and conduct cancer research. Data from the GCCR also assist state and local agencies in designing behavioral risk reduction programs and early detection (screening) programs.
Results
Males in Georgia are 42% more likely than females to be diagnosed with cancer. The age-adjusted cancer incidence rates were 535 per 100,000 among males and 378 per 100,000 among females. Black males in Georgia are 22% more likely than white males to be diagnosed with cancer; white females are 10% more likely than black females to be diagnosed with cancer. The overall age-adjusted cancer incidence rates for 1999-2000 were 623 per 100,000 among black males and 510 per 100,000 among white males, and 385 per 100,000 among white females and 349 per 100,000 among black females.

Figure 1. Leading Causes of Death, Georgia, 1997 - 2001

Diabetes 2%
Pneumonia and Influenza 2%
Chronic Respiratory Disease 5%
Unintentional Injury 5%

Heart Disease 30%

Stroke 7%

Lung and Bronchus 6%
Colon and Rectum 2%
Breast 2%
Prostate 1%
Other Cancers 10%

Cancer 22%

Other 28%

The Georgia Epidemiology Report Via E-Mail
To better serve our readers, we would like to know if you would prefer to receive the GER by e-mail as a readable PDF file starting in 2004. If yes, please send your name and e-mail address to Gaepinfo@dhr.state.ga.us.

Among males, prostate cancer (age-adjusted rate 156/ 100,000) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and accounts for 29% of all newly diagnosed cancers each year. Black males are 78% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white males (Figure 2). Black males also are 36% more likely to be diagnosed with cancers of the kidney and renal pelvis, and 18% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than white males in Georgia. White males have a higher incidence than black males for bladder cancer and melanoma. Black males and white males have similar rates of lung cancer incidence (Figure 2).
Among Georgia females, breast cancer (age-adjusted rate 122/100,000) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and accounts for 32% of all newly diagnosed cancers each year. White females in Georgia are 18% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than black females. Similarly white females are 38% and 32% more likely to be

diagnosed with lung cancer and ovarian cancer than black females respectively (Figure 3). Black females are 25% and 37% more likely than white females to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and cervical cancer, respectively. Both black females and white female have similar rates of uterine cancer incidence.
Of the five most common cancers among males, lung cancer is the only cancer for which the incidence is higher for Georgia males than U.S. males. Lung cancer incidence is 18% higher among Georgia males than among U.S. males (Figure 4). Prostate cancer incidence is 3% lower among Georgia males than among U.S. males, while the melanoma incidence is the same among Georgia males as among U.S. males. Bladder and colorectal cancer incidence rates are 23% and 11% lower, respectively, for Georgia males than for U.S. males.

Figure 2. Cancer Incidence Rates in Males by Race, Georgia , 1999-2000

Prostate

Lung & Bronchus

Colon & Rectum

Bladder incl in situ

Melanoma

Kidney & renal pelvis

Figure 3. Cancer Incidence Rates in Females by Race, Georgia, 1999-2000

Breast

Lung & Bronchus

Colon & Rectum

Uterine Corpus

-2 -

Ovary

Cervical

For the five most common cancers among females, the incidence is lower for Georgia females than U.S. females. Uterine, ovary, and colorectal cancer incidence rates are 26%, 17%, and 11% lower, respectively, for Georgia females than for U.S. females. The breast cancer incidence is 7% lower and lung cancer incidence is 5% lower for Georgia females than for U.S. females (Figure 5).
Conclusion

lifestyle can reduce the risk for death from cancer. About 30% of all cancer deaths could be prevented by not smoking. Similarly, adopting healthy diet and exercise practices could prevent 30% to 35% of cancer deaths. In addition, many cancers can be detected early, increasing the chances of successful treatment and survival. Finally, new and better treatments for cancer continue to be developed and survival rates for cancer are improving.

Currently, there is no universal prevention or cure for all types of cancer. However, the number of lives lost to this disease can be reduced. Most importantly, adopting a healthy

Authors: A. Rana Bayakly, M.P.H., Chrissy McNamara, M.S.P.H., Simple Singh, M.P.H., and Kenneth Powell, M.D., M.P.H.

Figure 4. Cancer Incidence Rates in Males, Georgia, 1999-2000, and the United States, 1996-2000

Prostate

Lung & Bronchus

Colon & Rectum

Bladder incl in situ

Melanoma

Figure 5. Cancer Incidence Rates in Females, Georgia, 1999-2000, and the United States, 1996-2000

Breast

Lung & Bronchus

Colon & Rectum

Uterine Corpus

Ovary

Division of Public Health http://health.state.ga.us
Stuart T. Brown, M.D. Acting Director
State Health Officer

Epidemiology Branch http://health.state.ga.us/epi
Paul A. Blake, M.D., M.P.H. Director
State Epidemiologist
Mel Ralston Public Health Advisor

Georgia Epidemiology Report Editorial Board
Carol A. Hoban, M.S., M.P.H. Editor
Kathryn E. Arnold, M.D. Paul A. Blake, M.D., M.P.H. Susan Lance, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Stuart T. Brown, M.D. Angela Alexander - Mailing List Jimmy Clanton, Jr. - Graphic Designer

-3 -

Division of Public Health Two Peachtree St., N.W. Atlanta, GA 30303-3186 Phone: (404) 657-2588 Fax: (404) 657-7517

Georgia Department of Human Resources

Please send comments to: Gaepinfo@dhr.state.ga.us

The Georgia Epidemiology Report Epidemiology Branch Two Peachtree St., NW Atlanta, GA 30303-3186

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 4528

March 2005

Volume 21 Number 03

Reported Cases of Selected Notifiable Diseases in Georgia Profile* for December 2004

Selected Notifiable Diseases
Campylobacteriosis Chlamydia trachomatis Cryptosporidiosis E. coli O157:H7 Giardiasis Gonorrhea Haemophilus influenzae (invasive) Hepatitis A (acute) Hepatitis B (acute) Legionellosis Lyme Disease Meningococcal Disease (invasive) Mumps Pertussis Rubella Salmonellosis Shigellosis Syphilis - Primary Syphilis - Secondary Syphilis - Early Latent Syphilis - Other** Syphilis - Congenital Tuberculosis

Total Reported for December 2004
2004 34 775 5 1 48 362 11 16 45 2 0 1 0 3 0 114 51 0 15 4 18 0 19

Previous 3 Months Total

Ending December

2002

2003

2004

165

100

130

8557

8181

5316

33

35

37

9

4

8

221

203

196

4500

4093

2503

24

23

26

144

191

39

151

149

149

6

5

7

0

0

0

6

12

3

0

0

1

5

8

8

0

0

0

496

559

470

786

200

173

31

38

12

98

133

49

174

133

23

198

207

87

1

1

0

131

150

110

Previous 12 Months Total

Ending in December

2002

2003 2004

667

622

594

34844

35744

30389

126

125

192

48

27

25

926

855

839

18830

17684

13619

85

81

118

511

791

317

490

667

595

19

35

43

5

10

12

31

37

16

2

3

2

29

36

27

0

0

1

1957

2062

1970

1842

1171

663

116

125

99

335

471

365

708

732

298

774

866

583

15

11

3

529

541

527

* The cumulative numbers in the above table reflect the date the disease was first diagnosed rather than the date the report was received at the state office, and therefore are subject to change over time due to late reporting. The 3 month delay in the disease profile for a given month is designed to minimize any changes that may occur. This method of summarizing data is expected to provide a better overall measure of disease trends and patterns in Georgia.

** Other syphilis includes latent (unknown duration), late latent, late with symptomatic manifestations, and neurosyphilis.

AIDS Profile Update

Report Period
Latest 12 Months: 03/04-02/05 Five Years Ago: 03/00-02/01 Cumulative: 07/81-02/05

Total Cases Reported* <13yrs >=13yrs Total

8

1,522 1,530

8

1,132 1,140

224

28,078 28,302

Percent Female
26.4
27.8
19.1

Risk Group Distribution (%) MSM IDU MSM&IDU HS Blood Unknown

32.8

6.6

2.1

12.1

1.6

44.9

31.4

11.5

2.2

18.5

2.1

34.4

45.6

16.1

4.9

14.3

1.9

17.1

Race Distribution (%) White Black Other

21.0 76.5

2.5

19.0 77.2

3.8

32.1 65.3

2.6

MSM - Men having sex with men

IDU - Injection drug users

HS - Heterosexual

* Case totals are accumulated by date of report to the Epidemiology Section

- 4 -