Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Jeanne Connors

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, killing more than 90% of individuals diagnosed within 5 years. Due to the lack of signs and symptoms, 82% of all pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed in terminal stages. As such, the most powerful method to reducing the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic cancer is to further investigate the risk factors. According to the theoretical framework of the ecosocial theory, long-term exposure to exposures to unfavorable socioecological and environmental factors serve as a “web of causation” for adverse health outcomes. Using data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Unites States Geological Society (USGS), these studies investigated the regional societostructural/ medical and environmental risk factors for pancreatic cancer in North Carolina. Using a random sampling (n=1,200) of pancreatic cancer patients, logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis analyses showed significant, regional differences in societostructural/medical and environmental risk factors among North Carolina pancreatic cancer patients. Furthermore, it was noted that the accumulation of the largest number of risk factors coincided with the region of North Carolina with the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer. As such, medical professionals in North Carolina have a better understanding of the regional risk factors that influence pancreatic cancer within their communities. As the incidence of pancreatic cancer continues to grow, the investigation of pancreatic cancer risk factors presents a viable opportunity to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease.

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