Tennessee Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tennessee Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct 1, 2020 | Events, Tennessee Public Service

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Tennessee ranks 7th overall as in death rates for cancer overall. The attorneys and law team at Marshall & Associates care about our clients and the Nashville community.

Here are some important facts to know about breast cancer in Tennessee.

  • 14 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day in Tennessee.
  • On average, 5,000 to 6000 cases are diagnosed annually in the state of Tennessee.
  • Women over 40 years old in the Southwest, Northwest and East Tennessee show a higher rate of not getting tested (not having mammograms) compared to other women in the state.
  • According to the Tennessee state government website, in the most recent four-year data period breast cancer cases were 2nd in counts for all cancers only exceeded by lung cancer cases.
  • During the same four-year data period, the state of Tennessee reported over 4500 deaths with breast cancer identified as the primary cause.
  • According to the state of Tennessee, breast cancer treatment costs exceeded all other cancer treatments in the state.
  • Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women in Tennessee and ranks 2nd to lung cancer in all cancer-related deaths in the state.

How to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

The month of October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Awareness, prevention, and early detection are key to combatting this cancer successfully.

What can you do to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Research has shown there are several risk factors that contribute to breast cancer. Here are the steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

  1. Refrain from vaping or smoking.
  2. Limit alcohol intake to 1 drink or fewer per day.
  3. Maintain a healthy weight.
  4. Breast-feed for as long as you can with your children.
  5. Aim for 2.5 hours of aerobic activity a week.
  6. Limit hormone therapy treatments.
  7. Avoid radiation exposure.

How do I identify breast cancer early?

  1. Perform regular self-exams.
  2. Screen with a mammogram
    • Ages 40 to 44 – optional to get a mammogram annually
    • Ages 45 to 54 – should get a mammogram annually
    • Ages 55 +–can opt for a mammogram every other year or stick with the annual screening

For those with a family history of breast cancer or have a gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2) known to increase risk, the American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms starting at age thirty along with a breast MRI.

Tennessee Suicide Prevention

Tennessee Suicide Prevention

Sep 1, 2020 | Tennessee Public Service

September 10, 2020 is National Suicide Prevention Day. The more information that is shared about suicide, its warning signs and resources available the better the chance of identifying risk of suicide before an attempt is made.

What is the Latest National Suicide Rate?

The latest suicide rate numbers are 48,000 deaths in the United States annually. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the country from 2018. The most recent data from Tennessee shows suicide as being the 9th leading cause of death in the state (Centers for Disease Control).
Suicide rates are generally measured in numbers per 100,000 residents. The USA’s rate is 14 deaths per 100,000, up 35% from 1999. The rate in Tennessee is 20% more at over 17 deaths per 100,000.
The ages of death hit every age group with the most prominent being ages 45 to 54.
*Note: Death counts of suicides lag and it takes a long time to secure data.

Suicide Rate Increase During Pandemic

There have been many recent news articles regarding the rise in suicide rates resulting from the pandemic and related stress, as well as social isolation. While it is too early to tell the potential rise in numbers, suicide researchers are in general agreement that the rates will rise, just as they did with the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

According to U.S. News and World Reports, calls into suicide crisis lines, such as in the San Francisco area are up significantly.

Tennessee Counties with Highest Suicide Rates

The counties with the highest rates of suicide in Tennessee are most often rural counties with fewer resources and access to health providers. These areas may also face a higher risk of social isolation.

5 Tennessee Counties with Highest Suicide Rates

  1. Houston County
  2. Humphreys County
  3. Cheatham County
  4. Trousdale County
  5. Cheatham County

Tennessee Resources

The state of Tennessee has numerous resources, training and help available.
Download the TSPN 2020 Resource Directory Mid-Cumberland Region from the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.