This New Mexico City Has Been Named the Highest Cancer Rates in the State
Roswell is a city in the southeastern part of the state of New Mexico. It is the county seat of Chaves County. Roswell is known for its annual UFO Festival, which commemorates the alleged UFO sighting that occurred in the city in 1947.
The cancer rates in Roswell are the highest in the state of New Mexico. According to the New Mexico Cancer Control Program, the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate in Roswell is 469.6 cases per 100,000 people. This means that for every 100,000 people living in Roswell, 469.6 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
There are a number of factors that may contribute to the high cancer rates in Roswell. One factor is smoking. The smoking rate in Roswell is higher than the national average. Smoking is a leading risk factor for cancer, and it is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States.
Another factor contributing to the high cancer rates in Roswell is obesity. The obesity rate in Roswell is also higher than the national average. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.
Environmental exposures may also play a role in the high cancer rates in Roswell. Roswell is located in a region with a long history of mining and other industries that have polluted the environment. Exposure to environmental carcinogens may increase the risk of developing cancer.
Lack of access to healthcare may also contribute to the high cancer rates in Roswell. Roswell is a rural city with a limited number of healthcare providers. This can make it difficult for people to get the cancer screenings and treatment they need.
Factors contributing to the high cancer rates in Roswell, New Mexico:
- Smoking rates:ย The smoking rate in Roswell is higher than the national average.ย Smoking is a leading risk factor for cancer,ย and it is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States.
- Obesity rates:ย The obesity rate in Roswell is also higher than the national average.ย Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer,ย including breast cancer,ย colon cancer,ย and endometrial cancer.
- Environmental exposures:ย Roswell is located in a region with a long history of mining and other industries that have polluted the environment.ย Exposure to environmental carcinogens may increase the risk of developing cancer.
- Lack of access to healthcare:ย Roswell is a rural city with a limited number of healthcare providers.ย This can make it difficult for people to get the cancer screenings and treatment they need.
What is being done to address the high cancer rates in Roswell, New Mexico?
The Chaves County Cancer Coalition is working to address the high cancer rates in Roswell. The coalition provides education and outreach programs on cancer prevention and screening. The coalition also works to improve access to cancer care in Roswell.
Other efforts to address the high cancer rates in Roswell include:
- Expanding access to Medicaid:ย The Affordable Care Act expanded access to Medicaid,ย which has helped to increase access to healthcare for people in Roswell.
- Investing in cancer prevention programs:ย The Chaves County Cancer Coalition and other organizations are working to invest in cancer prevention programs,ย such as smoking cessation programs and healthy eating programs.
- Addressing environmental exposures:ย The Environmental Protection Agency is working to address environmental exposures in Roswell.ย The EPA has cleaned up some contaminated sites and is working to reduce air pollution in the city.
Conclusion:
The high cancer rates in Roswell, New Mexico, are a serious public health problem. The Chaves County Cancer Coalition and other organizations are working to address this problem, but more needs to be done. We need to continue to expand access to healthcare, invest in cancer prevention programs, and address environmental exposures.
In addition to the efforts listed above, it is also important to raise awareness about the high cancer rates in Roswell. Many people are unaware of the risks they face, and this can lead to late-stage diagnoses and poorer outcomes. We need to educate people about cancer prevention and screening, and we need to make sure that they have access to the care they need.