Your Location Matters: Study Reveals Link Between Where You Live and Breast Cancer Risk

A new study shows that your location in the US can affect your breast cancer risk. Areas with limited healthcare access have higher death rates, linked to factors like obesity and smoking, while regions with better access have lower mortality rates.

A new study shows that your location in the US can affect your breast cancer risk. (PHOTO: OSF Newsroom)

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Location Matters: Study Links Where You Live to Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer is a widespread concern for American women, with about 240,000 new cases each year and 42,000 deaths attributed to the disease. According to the reports of SheKnows, a recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that where you live may influence your breast cancer risk. Researchers analyzed data from 2,176 U.S. counties between 2015 and 2019 to understand the relation between breast cancer risk and location better.

The study discovered that some places had more breast cancer deaths, particularly in areas with limited healthcare access. These differences were tied to issues like obesity, smoking, lack of healthy food, and racial segregation. Areas with better healthcare access, mammograms, and education had lower breast cancer risk and fewer deaths.

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Prioritizing Early Detection: A Crucial Step in Lowering Breast Cancer Risk

Early detection is vital to lower the breast cancer risk. Women aged 40 to 74 are advised to have regular mammograms, and self-exams to check for lumps or texture changes are crucial.

This underscores the importance of tailored public health efforts and personalized screening to protect women’s well-being in the United States.

In conclusion, breast cancer risk can be influenced by where you live. Areas with limited healthcare access and specific lifestyle factors like obesity and smoking may have higher breast cancer risks and mortality rates. To address these disparities and reduce the impact of breast cancer, it’s crucial to prioritize early detection through regular mammograms and self-exams and implement targeted public health interventions tailored to specific regions.

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