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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
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Gastrointestinal cancers in Mississippi
Zebedee Whatley1, Sumanth R Daram1, Shuja Yousuf1
1From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
Southern Medical Journal
|June 18, 2014
Summary
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer rates are higher in Mississippi, especially in the Delta region, compared to the US. Targeted prevention is needed to address these regional and ethnic disparities in GI cancer incidence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mississippi ranks last nationally in overall health quality.
- Poverty and health disparities are significant issues in Mississippi.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe gastrointestinal (GI) cancer incidence in Mississippi.
- To compare GI cancer rates in the Mississippi Delta region versus the rest of the state and the US.
Main Methods:
- Utilized age-adjusted incidence rates for GI cancers (2003-2007) from the Mississippi Cancer Registry and CDC.
- Compared rates across Mississippi Delta counties, non-Delta counties, the state, and the US.
- Correlated colorectal cancer rates with factors like race, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors.
Main Results:
- Mississippi exhibits higher rates of colon and rectal cancers than the US overall.
- Liver, intrahepatic bile duct, and gallbladder cancers showed lower rates in the Mississippi Delta.
- Significant ethnic disparities exist, with white residents in the Delta having higher rates for most GI cancers compared to African Americans.
Conclusions:
- GI cancer incidence is elevated in the Mississippi Delta and the state compared to national averages.
- Observed regional and ethnic disparities necessitate targeted prevention strategies.
- Efforts are crucial to eliminate disparities in GI cancer incidence rates.
