The Risk-Factors for Cancer in Banyule - Essay Example

Cancer in Banyule Introduction Approximately 580 people in Banyule are diagnosed with cancer annually. The incidence of cancer is approximately 0.51 percent of the population. Cancer is responsible for 73% of deaths in Banyule along with cardiovascular disease and injuries. The community suffers from lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer. Cancer was the most important cause of years lost life in people less than 75 years old. Approximately 76 percent of the population comprising of 71,638 adults and 14,586 mature adults were at risk. Socio-economic Factors The population of Banyule was 114,193 in 2006. There were 55,385 males and 58,808 females. 6,822 were infants of age 0-4 years. 18,192 were children of age 5-17 years. 71,638 were adults of age 18-64 years. 14,586 were mature adults of age 65-84 years. 2,414 were senior citizens of age over 85 years. Annual income ranged from $0-10637 for the lowest group, $10,637-24,976 for the medium lowest, $24,977-47,013 for the medium highest, and over $47,014 for the highest group. The lowest group had 20,370, medium lowest group had 21,387, medium highest group had 21,014, and highest group had 23,519 people respectively. Annual household income quarterly ranges were $0-29,747, $29,747-$56,088, $56,089-$94,621, and over $94,622 respectively. There were 8,866, 9,040, 9,536, and 10,311 households in each group. Among Banyule residents, 20,545 had Bachelor or higher degrees, 7,733 had Advanced Diploma or Diploma, 13,957 had vocational education. 40,577 had no qualifications and 10,467 had not stated their qualifications. Banyule had a score of 1047.4 on the Socio Economic Indexes for Areas (The higher the value, the less disadvantaged the area was compared to others.). Approximately 45 percent of Banyule residents had no qualifications or had not stated their qualifications. Generally lower levels of education are associated with low awareness levels of risks of cancer, thereby increasing the delay in prognosis of the disease. Approximately 18 percent of the population had annual income of $10637 or less. Low levels of income affect residents’ ability to make healthcare choices, and afford healthcare. Healthcare services provided by the state are often inadequate and unable to address specific cases of cancer, thereby increasing the risks to cancer. The indigenous population was 515. The Aboriginal population was increasing, but experienced higher levels of disadvantage than non-Aboriginal people. The number of one parent families was 32% (compared to 15%), unemployment rate was 13.5% (compared to 4.9%), had a median weekly disposable income of $332 (compared to $420), and 55% (compared to 19%) lived in rental housing (Banyule City Council, 2007). Lifestyle and Other Risk Factors Banyule residents had a higher life expectancy than the Victorian average. Men had a life expectancy of 76.5 years, and women had a life expectancy of 82. Cancer along with cardiovascular disease and injuries were responsible for a majority of the causes of death (Banyule City Council, 2008). Colon cancer was a health risk due to physical inactivity among many adults (“Banner,” 2008). Approximately 78 percent of the population comprising of 71,638 adults, 14,586 mature adults, and 2,414 senior citizens were a risk. Adult women were at risk for breast cancer. Approximately 51% of the at risk population were women, who were also at risk for breast cancer. This constituted approximately 40 percent of the population. Indigenous people in Banyule had an average 18 years lesser than non-indigenous people. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, lung cancer, cervical cancer and liver cancers were prevalent among indigenous people. Indigenous people were usually diagnosed at a later stage, less likely to receive adequate treatment, more likely to die from cancer as compared to non-indigenous people, and were more likely to have cancer that had a poor prognosis. Higher prevalence of risk factors such as tobacco use was believed to explain the patterns of cancer incidence observed in indigenous people (“Inclusion Policy,” 2009). Incidence of Cancer Approximately 580 people in Banyule were diagnosed with cancer annually. Lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer were cancers present in the community. According to the Cancer Council Victoria the Banyule-Nillumbik area saw 45 deaths caused by lung cancer, 1 death caused by mouth and throat cancer, and 14 deaths caused by other cancers during 2002. During 1999-2002 there were 180 deaths caused by lung cancer, 4 deaths from mouth and throat cancer, and 56 other cancers. The disability adjusted life years were 1747.9 females and 1781.6 males with malignant cancers. 75 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and were receiving ongoing support through network activities in 2005/06 (Banyule Community Health, 2006). Men died from prostate cancer in an equal number to women dying from breast cancer (Banyule City Council, 2008). Causes of Cancer Cancer of the lung, mouth and throat could have been caused by high rates of smoking in earlier life, and high incidence of unknown primary site could have been because of late diagnosis. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet and exercise were responsible for the incidence of cancer. Smoking was prevalent among indigenous adults. Late diagnosis, lack of adequate treatment and highly prevalent risk factors such as tobacco use were some of the reasons for the lower life expectancy indigenous people. Low participation in screening programs has been believed to be the major factor among indigenous women. Social and structural factors that affected indigenous women participating in screening or returning for follow-up, such as misunderstanding of cervical cancer screening, fear of cancer, distrust of services, poor recall and follow-up, and economic and social burden (Banyule Community Health, 2009). Health Promotion Activities “Get Set Go” was a program to be active promoted by the Banyule City Council. “Forget Me Nots” was a breast cancer support group in Banyule. “Walk to School Days” was a physical activity that has been undertaken in Banyule as a health promotion activity as certain forms of cancer have been linked to physical inactivity. Mortality from cervical cancer could be reduced by cervical screening programs. Medicare is a biannual examination cervical screening program available to all women. The Maya Healing Centre had been established to make a connection with local Aboriginal groups. The Centre was based on Thornbury, and connected indigenous communities across the north of Melbourne (Banyule Community Health, 2009). Not-for-profit organizations such as Rosanna and Movember regularly organized awareness programs including Prostate Cancer concerts. Guest speakers from the Prostate Cancer Foundation and other guests addressed the local community on issues related to cancer (Banyule City Council, 2006). The Gardasil vaccine, which is 100% effective against HPV, has been made available as a part of the school immunization program. Other programs such as the National Bowel Screening program have been active in the City of Banyule (“Banner,” 2007). Conclusion 0.51 percent of Banyule residents suffered from cancers including lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, or breast cancer. 45 percent of the residents without formal education, 18 percent of the lowest income group with less than $1000 a month, and or 0.5 percent of the indigenous population were at risk for some form of cancer. Smoking tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, poor awareness, late prognosis, or lack of participation in screening programs were risk factors for cancer. The City of Banyule Council has been proactive and taking steps to address the gaps within existing programs, and addressing risk factors. The local Government has launched several programs to address these risks, including awareness and screening programs. These programs are often supplemented with speeches, entertainment, and /or sporting activities to increase participation in such programs. References Banyule City Council. (2004). Health Plan 2004-2009. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/03936_Bnyl%20HealthPlan%206pp.pdf. Last accessed 20 October 2009. Banyule City Council. (2006). Banner. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/nov_banner.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009 Banyule City Council. (2007). Banner. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/June%202007%20Banner.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009 Banyule City Council. (2007). Inclusion Policy. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/Draft%20Inclusion%20Policy.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Banyule City Council. (2008). Banyule Community Plan. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/Community%20Plan%20Discussion%20Paper%20-%20People.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Banyule City Council. (2008). Bakewell Ward Page. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/February%20Banner%202008%20Ward%20Pages.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Banyule City Council. (2008). Banner. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Assets/Files/August%20Banner%202008.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009 Banyule Community Health. (2006). Annual Report 2005/2006. Available: http://www.bchs.org.au/publications/annualreports/BCHS_Annual_Report_2006.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Banyule City Council. (2009). Get Set Go. Available: http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/getsetgo/. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Banyule Community Health. (2009). Quality of Care and Annual Report. Available: http://www.bchs.org.au/publications/annualreports/BCHS_Annual_Report_2008.pdf. Last accessed 27 October 2009. City of Banyule. (2006). Community Profile. Available: http://profile.id.com.au/Default.aspx?id=132&pg=101&gid=10&type=enum. Last accessed 27 October 2009. The Cancer Council Victoria. (2002). Annual Deaths due to Smoking. Available: http://www.quit.org.au/tobaccotragedy/Banyule-Nillumbik.htm. Last accessed 27 October 2009. Read More