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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Rafael Guerrero-Preston, Dr PH, MPH, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th Street, 7th floor, Epidemiology Department, New York, NY 10032, 212-342-4549, reg26@columbia.edu and Ruby Ann Serrano, MS, Dr PH(c), Environmental Health Department, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936.

Introduction: Cancer became the number one cause of death in Puerto Rico in 2004. Cancer risk factors should inform a sustained evidence-based response to this public health challenge.

Objectives: To identify cancer risk factors among Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico and compare them to cancer risk factors in US.

Methods: Data was extracted from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 2002-2003 and collated with recently published data.

Results: Many cancer risk factors in Puerto Rico are lifestyle related. Extracted data from BRFSS reveals that 47% of the population in Puerto Rico reported no physical activity, 62% of the population was overweight or obese (BMI>25), and only 14% of the population had an intake of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Infectious disease risk factors for cancer in Puerto Rico, such as Hepatitis C virus and the Human Papilloma virus, are present in subgroups of the population. A recently published population-based study revealed a 6% sero-prevalence for Hepatitis C virus among adults over 18 years of age residing in the San Juan metropolitan area. This represents a three fold increase over the US rate of 1.8%. Hepatitis C is a risk factor for liver cancer and lymphoma.

Discussion: Risk factors for cancer in Puerto Rico are present in rates and numbers that compare to, or surpass, cancer risk indicators in the US. Public health promotion strategies and cancer treatment centers should be implemented to address the cancer burden in Puerto Rico.

Learning Objectives:

• List major lifestyle related cancer risk factors in Puerto Rico.
• Articulate the difference between infectious disease and energy balance risk factors.
• Discuss the relative importance of genetic and environmental risk factors in cancer incidence and mortality patterns

Keywords: Cancer, Environmental Health Hazards

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation