The Geography of Care: The Role of Catchment Areas in Cancer Care

Across the US, people in different areas have varying resources, lifestyles, and physical environments. In healthcare, these places are called catchment areas, the geographical zones that health facilities serve. Depending on the needs of a catchment area, health facilities may adjust their services and ways of connecting with communities. 

Catchment areas often experience unique health outcomes due to factors where people live and work (called social determinants of health), such as healthcare access, education levels, income, and social context. Some examples include education, job opportunities, air pollution, access to nutritious food, and safe housing. 

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we define our catchment area as the state of Louisiana, and we provide cancer care and outreach to residents across the state. Here’s a closer look at our catchment area and why it’s crucial to how we care for our communities. 

The Impact of Cancer Across Louisiana 

Cancer in Louisiana is a significant burden, with residents being diagnosed and losing their lives at higher rates than the national average. The rate of cancer diagnoses is particularly higher among younger age groups, and these numbers have been increasing in recent years. 

People in Louisiana are also more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, when it’s harder to treat. As for survival rates, Louisianians are less likely to survive 5 years past diagnosis of lung, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer compared to the rest of the US population. 

These trends show a range of issues in Louisiana. For one, cancer screening rates have room for improvement. Screening tests can detect cancer in its early stages before any symptoms appear. Early detection makes cancer easier to treat and increases a person’s chances of survival. While Louisianians have higher screening rates for some cancers compared to the national average, there are still many people who don’t take advantage of these lifesaving tests. 

Residents of Louisiana are also affected by other factors, including demographics, social determinants of health, and lifestyle choices. 

Louisiana's Population and Social Determinants of Health 

In Louisiana, we pride ourselves on the rich and diverse backgrounds that make up our population. However, each resident’s background also plays a role in their health, including their likelihood of developing cancer. 

For instance, over 30% of our state is Black or African American. In Louisiana, Black or African American residents have higher rates of poverty, lower rates of health insurance, and lower levels of education compared to white residents. All these factors make them more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including cancer. 

Louisianians also vary in where they live, with nearly 30% of residents living in rural parishes. Compared to their urban counterparts, people who live in rural areas are more likely to have poor health outcomes due to having to travel far distances to receive care. Every month of delay in cancer care can increase a person’s risk of dying by around 10%. 

People in Louisiana also face environmental risks, such as air pollution. Sometimes referred to as “Cancer Alley,” the southeast portion of Louisiana may have particularly high levels of cancer-causing gas in the air. 

Behavioral Health Risks in Our Catchment Area  

Another major influence on a person’s risk of developing cancer is unhealthy lifestyle choices, including drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, being overweight (due to lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, and stress), and low HPV vaccination rates. 

Alcohol increases the risk of many cancers, including liver, colorectal, esophagus, voice box, breast (in women), and mouth and throat. In Louisiana, almost 19% of adults report having engaged in binge drinking (4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more for men in one sitting) or heavy drinking (8 or more drinks for women and 15 or more for men in one week) in the past month. 

As for tobacco use – the primary cause of preventable disease and death in the US – around 17% of Louisianians smoke. This unhealthy habit persists despite 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths being caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking can also play a role in the development of cancer in nearly every part of the body. 

Being overweight or obese is a major cancer risk factor, as it’s connected with 13 kinds of cancer, which make up 40% of cancers in the US every year. In Louisiana, 1 out of every 4 adults is obese. 

The HPV virus is so common that most people get it during their lifetime. The virus is most known for causing cervical cancer, but it can also cause cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth and throat. One of the most effective ways to prevent this cancer is with the HPV vaccine alongside regular screening. However, in Louisiana, the rate of HPV vaccine series completion by age 13 is below the national average at just 36.4%. 

Connecting With Our Louisiana Communities 

Understanding our catchment area is the first step to promoting health equity and providing the care our communities need. It helps us understand the most significant risks our residents face, including the most prevalent kinds of cancer. In response, we can distribute resources and use prevention techniques to lower these risks. 

Connecting with the population in our catchment area is critical to reducing the impact of cancer in Louisiana. By building relationships with local organizations, public health departments, and other stakeholders, we can work together to address local health needs and improve cancer prevention and treatment. 

By tailoring services to our communities' needs, we can improve screening rates, treatments, and cancer care in Louisiana and globally.