Cancer has made its mark on Louisiana, leaving no one untouched by its impact. It seems that nearly everyone either knows someone who has battled cancer or has faced the harsh realities of the disease themselves.

The reasons behind the high cancer rates in Louisiana are multifaceted, driven by a combination of personal choices, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. While we have a rich Cajun and Creole culture our lifestyle in Louisiana revolves around drinking and eating things that put us at a high risk for cancer, unfortunately.

However, cancer does not discriminate. There are countless cancer patients who have never drank or smoked a day in their life.

It's a complex web of circumstances that has led to high cancer rates in certain regions of the state, affecting those who may already be facing social, economic, or environmental disadvantages.

Access to early screening and quality care can often be a critical determinant in the outcome of a cancer diagnosis, and these disparities only exacerbate the problem.

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Certain occupations, such as those in the meat industry and rubber manufacturing, expose workers to specific carcinogens and health risks, potentially leading to higher cancer rates among individuals employed in these sectors. Even farmers, who work closely with the land and pesticides, may find themselves at an elevated risk.

To shed light on this concerning issue, we turn to CDC data compiled by Stacker, which reveals the parishes in Louisiana with the highest cancer rates.

These statistics paint a sobering picture of the state's battle against cancer and provide crucial insights into where cancer cases are most prevalent. By understanding where the cancer rates are the highest, we can work towards targeted interventions and support for those affected.

LOOK: These Are the Parishes With the Highest Cancer Rates in Louisiana

Stacker ranked the parishes with the highest cancer rates in Louisiana using data from the CDC.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

 

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