Cerro Gordo County 21st out of 99 counties for new cancer diagnoses each year

IOWA CITY — Cerro Gordo County is in the top one-fourth of counties in Iowa when it comes to the rate of new cancers diagnosed yearly. That’s according to new data from the Iowa Cancer Registry based at The University of Iowa.

UI assistant professor and director of research, analytics and dissemination for the Registry Dr. Sarah Nash says while the rate of cancer deaths in Cerro Gordo County ranks 65th out of the 99 counties, the rate of new cases is above the state and national average.  “Each year there are about 335 cancers diagnosed in your county, and your rate is higher than the US average, so you rank 21 out of the 99 counties in Iowa, and the rate of new cancers in Cerro Gordo is higher than the US average.”

Female breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer are the top five types of cancer reported in Cerro Gordo County. Nash says many things can contribute to cancer rates being high.   “About 19% of Cerro Gordo County residents report binge drinking compared to a little bit lower than the statewide but still higher than the US average. Current smoking in Cerro Gordo County is a little higher than both the statewide and US rate. No leisure time physical activity — engaging in physical activity is one of the most important things that we can do for our health, not just for cancerous but for our health in general. Obesity has been linked to about 13 different types of cancer, and Cerro Gordo County has a higher prevalence of obesity compared to both the statewide and US.”

You can see more detailed information about Cerro Gordo County’s cancer report from the Iowa Cancer Registry by clicking here