Wonder

Cancer Risk

Delivered September 13, 2019. Contributor: Sara F.

Goals

To understand the cancer risk rates for high-risk sub populations in the United States, including the probability of cancer in lifetime smokers, the elderly, and those with genetic predispositions. Also, information on the most common cancer screenings and the top professions at risk for cancer are of interest.

Early Findings

OverviewIn 2019, the American Cancer Society states there will be "1,762,450 new cancer cases and 606,880 cancer deaths."
Lifetime SmokersAccording to the CDC, people who smoke are "15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke."
Individuals over the age of 75, 80 and 85According to the National Cancer Institute, 19.6% of new cancer cases occur in those in the 75-84 age range, while 7.8% are over 85 and older.
In 2016, according to the CDC, there were 2117 cases per 100,000 people age 75-79, 2198 per 100,000 for those 80-84, and 1982 per 100,000 for those over 85.
Individuals who have tested positive for a geneIt is estimated that 3-10% of all cancers are related to inherited faulty genes.
Cancer Screening TestsThe CDC recommends screening for breast (mammograms), cervical (Pap test), colorectal ("stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography"), and lung (low-dose computed tomography) cancers.
These same four screening areas are touted by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
Occupations and Cancer RiskAccording to the CDC, 3-6% of all cancers are caused by workplace encounters with carcinogens.
 Some occupations or fields that may be particularly at risk of cancer include trucking, mining, and railroad workers (lung and bladder cancers); roofing and pavement workers (lung and skin cancers); leather footwear manufacturing workers (nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers); outdoor workers (melanoma); night-shift workers ("breast, gastrointestinal, and skin cancers in women").
Summary of Initial Findings Related to GoalsOur initial research suggests that incidence rates are the closer figures available for yearly probability of cancer. Data on occupations is largely related to carcinogens in the workplace, and data on screening tests is consistent among the top cancer advocacy groups and include four primary types of screening: mammograms, pap tests, colonoscopy (or other colon cancer screenings) and low-dose computed tomography.

In addition to this public search, we scanned our proprietary research database of over 1 million sources and were unable to find any specific research reports that address your goals.

Proposed next steps:

You need to be the project owner to select a next step.