CANCERS
Since the year 1999, cancer of the lungs or bronchus has represented the leading cause of death among persons diagnosed with malignancies in Gallatin County, accounting for 100.6 deaths per 100,000 population7.
Gallatin County leads the district in cancer related deaths for lung cancers representing half of all cancer related deaths7. According to the CDC, smoking can cause cancers almost anywhere in the body including the bladder, blood, cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, kidney, renal pelvis, liver, lungs, bronchi, trachea, mouth, throat, pancreas, stomach and larynx13. Additionally, Lung Cancer has a known association with the inhalation of radon gas. Higher cancer rates in Gallatin County may be the result of either or both underlying contributing factors. See page 19 for details on tobacco rates. See page 24 for details on radon in Gallatin County.