Public Education Meeting

1. Public Education Meeting May 21, 2011 1:00 Hartford City, IN

2. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. ~John F. Kennedy~

3. The mission of Blackford County Concerned Citizens is to improve the quality of life of Blackford County’s residents by reducing the incidence of diseases, primarily through citizen action to investigate the diseases that are prevalent and by advocating to have these diseases investigated

4. Founding Members • Katherine Castelo • Kathy SchropeDunsmore • Joseph Castelo

5. History of BCCC • May 2010- met with Indiana Department of Health • December 2011-met with the Hoosier Environmental Council and the IU School of Public Health

6. BCCC Contact info • Facebook/Blackford County Indiana Cancer Action Group • BlackfordCountyConcernedCitizens.com • BlackfordCountyConcernedCitizens@yahoo.com

7. What is happening in Blackford County? A summary of knowledge relating to disease and the environment

8. State Cancer Incidence Blackford County Blackford rate: 535.3 State Avg: 457.2 StdDev: 39.5 Years 2002-2006 Source: http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/incidencerates/index.php?stateFIPS=18&cancer=001&race=00&sex=0&age=001&type=incd&sortVariableName=rate&sortOrder=default

9. Cancer Incidence Report from Indiana Department of Health • Cancers sites that were statistically higher than the state average • All Cancer Sites • Colon, rectum and anus • Lung and Bronchus • Malignant Lymphoma • Thyroid and Other Endocrine Glands • Bladder • Interim Report on Blackford County, Indiana Cancer Incidence Prepared by: Public Health Geographics, Epidemiology Resource Center Indiana State Department of Health Apriil12th, 2010

10. Sampling from State Report

11. Cancer Incidence by County Red-highest rate in compared counties Blue-second highest rate in compared counties State Cancer Profiles by National Cancer Institute Years 2003-2007

12. Issues with Data • Small Population • Data lags behind • Latest data analyzed was 2007 • Inaccurate Reporting • People seeking treatment else where • Long term residents who move before diagnosis

13. What is Cancer? • A name for a group of more than 100 diseases where cells grow out of control • Cancer cell growth is different than normal cell growth. • Cancer cells don’t die • Cancer cells can invade other tissues • Cells become cancer cells when DNA is damaged • Some damage is inherited but most is caused while a normal cell is reproducing or from something in the environment

14. What Causes Cancer? • Tobacco • Overweight or Obesity • Physical inactivity and nutrition • Infectious Agents • E.g. HPV, HIV • Heredity • Ultraviolet Light • Environmental Factors Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2008

15. Who Gets Cancer? • Anyone can get cancer • One of the biggest factors that can make a person more likely to get cancer is age: 3 out of 4 cancers are found in people age 55 or older. • Half of all men and one-third of all women in the US will develop cancer during their lifetimes • There are many other factors that affect cancer risk and some of them can be changed

16. Colon Cancer • The 3rd most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. • 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. • At least half of all cases could be prevented by regular testing • Non-controllable risk factors include age and family history • Controllable risk factors include diet, smoking, overweight, heavy alcohol use, physical activity

17. Colon Cancer Risk Factors • Diets that are high in red meats and processed meats • Obesity • Smoking • Heavy alcohol use • Type 2 diabetes

18. Lung Cancer • Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women • It accounts for 15% of all new cancers • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the U.S. • More people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined • Lung cancer mainly occurs in older people • For smokers, the risk is much higher

19. Lung Cancer Risk Factors • Smoking • Radon • Exposure to second hand smoke • Work place exposure to asbestos • Cancer causing agents in the workplace • Radioactive ores • Inhaled chemicals such as arsenic, silica, vinyl chloride, nickel and chromium compounds • Diesel exhaust

20. Lymphoma Risk Factors • Exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene and certain herbicides and insecticides • Immune system deficiency • Autoimmune Disease • Certain viral infections • Age

21. Thyroid Cancer Risk Factors • Exposure to radiation • Diet low in iodine • Hereditary conditions • Age and Gender • In women risk peaks between 45-49 • In men risk peaks between 65-69

22. Bladder Cancer Risk Factors • Smoking • Arsenic in the drinking water • Work place exposures to aromatic amines or certain organic chemicals • Industries carrying highest risks include • Makers of rubber, leather, textiles and paint products • Other workers with increased risk include painters, hairdressers, machinist, printers and truck drivers (because of diesel fumes)

23. Female Breast Cancer • The most common cancer in women in the U.S. • 2nd leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the U.S. • Death rates have been steadily going down since 1990 • Non-controllable risk factors include age, genetics, family history, dense breast tissue • Controllable risk factors include exposure to tobacco smoke, overweight, alcohol use, physical activity

24. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrigs Disease) • ALS incidence is AT LEAST 4.5 cases/100,00 • ALS incidence in the US is 1-2 cases/100,000 • Environmental pollutants such as toluene are suspected in ALS • 5-10% of cases are genetic, the cause in the rest is unknown

25. Questions?