Cancer Related Behaviors Among Appalachians Populations

The goal of this study is to assess the prevailing rates of cancer-related behaviors among Appalachian populations. The study also investigates if there are differences between Appalachian and non-Appalachian populations in the rates of cancer-related behaviors. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine if there are differences in these rates within the Appalachian populations by distressed status. The impact of certain cancer-related behaviors (such as cancer screening behavior and tobacco smoking) on cancer incidence and mortality has been established. It is also established that high incidence and mortality of certain cancers in Appalachian populations. Despite this knowledge, little is known about the prevalence of such cancer-related behaviors among this population. This study win fin this gap. Specifically, this study will address the following tbree questions: (I) What are the prevalence rates of cancer-related behaviors among Appalachian populations? (2) Do these prevalence rates differ between Appalachian and non-Appalachian populations? (3) Do these prevalence rates differ between distressed versus non-distressed Appalachian populations? Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we propose to examine the prevalence rates of cancer-related behaviors among Appalachian populations. Data from the cancer-related modules (such as Skin Cancer, Colorectal Cancer Screening, Smokeless Tobacco Use, and Tobacco Use Prevention, in addition to the section on women's health in the core questionnaire that contains important information on breast and cervical cancer screening) will be included in the analysis. Other sections of the questionnaire that could help in the proposed analysis and that have cancer-related questions and demographic information will also be utilized will be used to estimate the proportion that engaged in specific cancer-related behaviors and to describe and compare prevalence rates between the aforementioned groupings. Other modules and questions that deal with healthcare utilization will also be used in the analysis. For the purpose of this study Appalachian is defined as a BRFSS respondent who resides in any of the 406 Appalachian counties designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as Appalachian. In each state (except the state of West Virginia), we will compare rates between Appalachian and non-Appalachian respondents. Within Appalachia we will compare the rates of distressed and non-stressed counties. Using the peer county list identified by the Public Health Foundation, we will compare a sample of stressed and non-stressed Appalachian counties to their non- Appalachian peers. This study will provide a benchmark of the prevalence of cancer-related behaviors among Appalachian populations. Against this benchmark, future improvements in cancer prevention and control efforts can be measured. Comparison between Appalachian and non-Appalachian populations and between distressed and non-distressed Appalachian populations will shed light on similarities and differences between these populations. The findings of this study will inform the design of program interventions for prevention and control of cancer in Appalachia.