Females comprise more than half of Kentucky’s population. That group faces the highest risk nationally for all cancer types. That’s according to State Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack. Progress, he said, has been made regarding breast cancer, but screening remains critical. He said only about ten percent have a genetic link.
“So that means 90% of women would have breast cancer without having an identified risk factor beforehand. So that means all women really need to go get a mammogram, every other year..probably now starting at the age of 40,” said Stack.
Stack noted the U.S. Preventive Task Force suggests a 19% reduction in breast cancer mortality by lowering the start of screening to age 40. And the public health commissioner added a lack of health insurance shouldn’t prevent women from getting screening. Stack said that’s a key role of the Kentucky Women Cancer Screening Program.
The state administrator in public health says all cervical cancer deaths are preventable. Yet, Dr. Stack said it remains a challenging health issue in Kentucky, which leads the nation in cervical cancer cases. In addition to a pap smear at least every three years, Stack stresses mothers need to see that their kids get vaccinated against H-P-V.
“And the single most important thing they could do other than getting their screening exams is to ensure that all of their young children..they get a human papillomavirus vaccine. So this both for boys and for girls,” said Stack.
Dr. Stack noted about 57% of Kentuckians eligible for an HPV vaccine have gotten it. He added that’s a bit lower than the national average.
Here's more with Dr. Stack on breast and cervical cancers:
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