Taylor County results from 99 Counties Project

A statewide cancer study called 99 Counties Project, has been releasing findings county-by-county. Through a zoom meeting on May 28 at the Taylor County Public Health office, statistics on cancer rates and types of cancer were given. Mary Charlton, PhD, presented the findings of the Taylor County study.
Iowa ranks #2 in highest rate of new cancers in the United States and Iowa’s rate is 14% higher than the U.S. rate. Iowa is 23rd of the highest rate of cancer deaths in the U.S. (number of new cases in a specified time). Taylor County ranks similarly to the national average.
Pediatric and adolescent cancer incidence rates in Iowa are not different than the U.S. rate. Young adult cancer incidence rates in Iowa are higher than the U.S rate.
The study was conducted by the Iowa Cancer Registry and the University of Iowa College of Public Health along with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Iowa Rural Health Association.
The Iowa Cancer Registry collects data on all cancers reported in Iowa regardless of where they receive treatments. They also gather information from hospitals in other states.
Taylor County results
Each year there are about 28 cancer deaths in Taylor County and are similar to the national average. Taylor County ranks #79 of 99 counties. Cancer mortality rates are typically higher in men than women.
Top cancers in Taylor County are breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and melanoma. Taylor County ranks #24 out of 96 counties in the rate of melanoma.
There are 10 new cases of breast cancer each year in Taylor County and less than six deaths per year. Breast cancer screening shows that 79% of women age 50+ are up to date. Breast cancer diagnoses for the county is 69% for early stage and 31% late stage.
Prostate cancer rates show 12 new cases per year in the county with less than six deaths per year.