Zoom call tells the story of cancer in Adair County

The Iowa Cancer Registry provided a detailed look at cancer statistics in Adair County during a zoom call joined by a room full of locals at Senior Life Solutions Monday, July 7.

While the report — containing the findings of the “Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project” — shows many types of cancers have lower than average levels here, work still needs to be done to learn more about and reduce the risk of various cancers. The ICR’s goal with this project is to present county-specific cancer data, to listen to locals about their connection to cancer, provide resources and recommend action.

Featured speakers on the call were Whitney Zahnd of the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Amanda Kahl, an epidemiologist with the Iowa Cancer Registry.

Researchers on this project found 56 counties with rates over the national average, but Adair County is one of 43 that has levels similar to the national average.

In all, there are about 46 new cancers diagnosed annually in Adair County, similar to the national average. Adair County is lowest among Iowa counties.

Adair County is 57th in cancer deaths, averaging 19 per year, a rate not different from the U.S. average.

Annual prostate cancer cancers hold similar averages from state and national averages. Statistically, local cases of female breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer are the same as statewide and national averages.

A look at various risk factors shows that the last tobacco tax, passed in 2007, led to a smoking rate decrease in 92% of Iowa counties, including Adair County. The percentage of adults who smoked in 1997 here were 22.3%, but now the rate is 17.6%. The rate bottomed out in 2012-13 at about 12%.

Other risk factors like binge drinking, current smoking, no leisure time/physical activity and obesity are all on track with state and national averages.

Officials cautioned that there isn’t any one cause of cancer; it is a combination of different genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors that change the function of cells. These risk factors can include tobacco or alcohol use, an unhealthy diet, not being physically active, sunburns, family history of cancer and random mutations.

There are several Adair County resources, including:

• Immunizations: Adair County Public Health participates in the Vaccine for Children Program, offering no cost immunizations for uninsured, underinsured, American Indian or Alaskan Native children 0-18. Visit ACPH’s website for more information

• Health Screenings: Free blood pressure screening during open office hours

• Cancer screening: No cost mammograms and pap-spears (to screen for breast and cervical cancer) for those who quality based on income throug the Care for Yourself Program, as well as low dose CT lung cancer screenings at Adair County Health System

• Radon Tests: Test kits can be purchased at the Guthrie Center Environmental Health Office for $18 per kit. They may be reached at 641-747-3972

• Private well testing: Well testing is available through Guthrie County Environmental Health by calling 641-747-3972

• Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services provides school-based programs that provide positive, research-based presentations, programs and training on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and abuse prevention.

More comprehensive information relating to the presentation from the Iowa Cancer Registry may be found on their website.