The leading public health concern in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina is a chronic disease. There are four major chronic diseases that affect Mecklenburg County residents and nearly 50% of all premature deaths in Mecklenburg County. Theses chronic diseases are cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke. They are tied to several modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity.
In a 2016 Community Health Assessment by Mecklenburg County, residents ranked breast cancer as a leading cause among women as a public health concern. Breast cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, following skin cancer. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death among …show more content…
Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast and depends on which cells turn into cancer. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules. Sign and Symptoms of breast cancer depend on each individual. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common sign of breast cancer is an irregular edge hard lump which is painless. The other warning signs include lump in breast or underarm, swelling in part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area, pain in the breast area, any changes in size or the shape of the breast.
Risk factors for the breast cancer are due to a combination of factors. According to the studies, the age of a woman is the biggest factor that influences the risk. Studies have shown that women who are 50 years old or older are greater risk for having breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetic mutations in which a woman will inherit genetic changes. In addition, early menstrual periods, late or no pregnancy, lacking of physical activities, obesity, family history, oral birth control pills, and drinking alcohol and smoking will increase chances of having breast cancer (Cancer Facts and Statistics, …show more content…
Despite these improvements, chronic diseases remain widespread and costly health problems in the County. In 2013, nearly 189,000 residents (19%) reported having two or more chronic conditions. During this same time period, hospital in-patient charges due to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke totaled over $533 million for Mecklenburg County residents. Health behaviors in Mecklenburg county consist of tobacco usage and consist of 170,000 residents currently smoking tobacco. Many of the residents are overweight or obese and nearly 1 in 5 claims to be physically inactive (Mecklenburg County 2015: Community Pulse, n.d.).
Risk factors for the breast cancer are due to a combination of factors. According to the studies, the age of a woman is the biggest factor that influences the risk. Studies have shown that women who are 50 years old or older are greater risk for having breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetic mutations in which a woman will inherit genetic changes. In addition, early menstrual periods, late or no pregnancy, lacking of physical activities, obesity, family history, oral birth control pills, and drinking alcohol and smoking will increase chances of having breast cancer (Cancer Facts and Statistics,
In a 2016 Community Health Assessment by Mecklenburg County, residents ranked breast cancer as a leading cause among women as a public health concern. Breast cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, following skin cancer. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death among …show more content…
Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast and depends on which cells turn into cancer. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules. Sign and Symptoms of breast cancer depend on each individual. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common sign of breast cancer is an irregular edge hard lump which is painless. The other warning signs include lump in breast or underarm, swelling in part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area, pain in the breast area, any changes in size or the shape of the breast.
Risk factors for the breast cancer are due to a combination of factors. According to the studies, the age of a woman is the biggest factor that influences the risk. Studies have shown that women who are 50 years old or older are greater risk for having breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetic mutations in which a woman will inherit genetic changes. In addition, early menstrual periods, late or no pregnancy, lacking of physical activities, obesity, family history, oral birth control pills, and drinking alcohol and smoking will increase chances of having breast cancer (Cancer Facts and Statistics, …show more content…
Despite these improvements, chronic diseases remain widespread and costly health problems in the County. In 2013, nearly 189,000 residents (19%) reported having two or more chronic conditions. During this same time period, hospital in-patient charges due to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke totaled over $533 million for Mecklenburg County residents. Health behaviors in Mecklenburg county consist of tobacco usage and consist of 170,000 residents currently smoking tobacco. Many of the residents are overweight or obese and nearly 1 in 5 claims to be physically inactive (Mecklenburg County 2015: Community Pulse, n.d.).
Risk factors for the breast cancer are due to a combination of factors. According to the studies, the age of a woman is the biggest factor that influences the risk. Studies have shown that women who are 50 years old or older are greater risk for having breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetic mutations in which a woman will inherit genetic changes. In addition, early menstrual periods, late or no pregnancy, lacking of physical activities, obesity, family history, oral birth control pills, and drinking alcohol and smoking will increase chances of having breast cancer (Cancer Facts and Statistics,