Preventable causes of cancer in Texas by race/ethnicity: Major modifiable risk factors in the population

Abstract

Background A number of modifiable risk factors have been designated as being causally related to cancer development. We aimed to estimate the percentage of incident cancer cases diagnosed in persons aged ≥25 years in Texas in 2015, overall and by race/ethnicity, that were attributable to these modifiable risk factors. Methods We calculated population attributable fractions (PAFs) for cancers attributable to thirteen modifiable risk factors using prevalence data from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as well as relative risks estimates from prior studies and cancer incidence data from the Texas Cancer Registry. Results Overall, 32.3% of all incident cancers (N = 33,416) in 2015 were attributable to modifiable risk factors. Men (35.1%) had a numerically higher overall PAF than women (29.5%). Tobacco smoking caused the highest proportion of cancers (18.4%), followed by overweight and obesity (6.6%) and excess alcohol consumption (2.9%). Non-Hispanic Blacks had a numerically higher overall PAF (36.8%) than non-Hispanic Whites (31.9%) and Hispanics (31.7%). Further, non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest combined PAFs for 85% of cancer sites analyzed, including lung/bronchus and mouth/pharynx/larynx. Conclusion Modifiable risk factors cause about one third of cancers in Texas. Non-Hispanic Blacks are especially affected by an excessive preventable cancer burden.