BC incidence vs death

Breast cancer incidence rates (per 100,000 women) in 2006 from the CDC report. The darker blue areas indicate a higher rate of breast cancer

Death from Breast cancer in 2006 from the CDC. Again the darker colors indicate a higher rate (per 100,000 women)

The other day there was   news about our nation's collective low Vitamin D levels and how it can lead to many health problems, particularly bone health, and  breast cancer. Low Vit D levels are also correlated to lack of sun exposure. In general, people living above the 37 deg parallel are exposed to less sun. If one looks at the first map, BC incidence does seem higher in the Northern states. You would think higher incidences of BC would lead to higher deaths from BC. From these maps, that doesn't seem to be the case.  Ethnic groups are not evenly distributed around the country. Look at Louisiana and Mississippi for instance: low incidence of BC in general yet a high death rate. Perhaps there is a greater proportion of TNBC there or people are diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

In the mean time, I will be getting as much sun as possible and taking Vit D. Also I am taking daily baby aspirin as there is some evidence that antiinflams decrease recurrence. At any rate, it can't hurt (much but I take Prilisec).

Margarita night last night with a friend. Yum.

I am waiting for the dusting on the roads to disappear. According to weather reports, 2 feet of snow was dumped on portions of I-90 outside of Buffalo stranding drivers. I worried about my I-90 travellers but they seemed to miss it and now are near the Mass border on dry roads.