Rising Cancer Rates Demand Community Action in Shelby County
Iowa faces a worrying rise in cancer rates, with Shelby County not exempt. As the Iowa Cancer Registry reports alarming trends, residents are called to action, advocating for changes to combat this health crisis. Join community discussions to learn more!
Iowans are being urged to pay attention to rising cancer rates across the state, including Shelby County. The Iowa Cancer Registry is set to provide specific reports to all 99 counties, highlighting cancer trends and calling for community involvement to address this growing issue.
Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, noted that Iowa's cancer rates are on the rise, with breast cancer being a significant factor. Urban areas report higher rates than rural areas, which may be linked to lifestyle and reproductive choices. There’s also an alarming uptick in melanoma, and some cancer types are increasing more in western and rural counties.
Charlton encourages residents to advocate for better policies, such as a higher tobacco tax, to help reduce lung cancer rates, the deadliest type of cancer in Iowa. She highlighted the importance of grassroots efforts to spur open dialogue with policymakers about the health crisis.
The initiative also promotes discussions among local residents to raise awareness and drive legislative changes. Residents are encouraged to join upcoming meetings to learn more about cancer trends in their area.
For a deeper dive into this pressing health matter, check out the original article.
