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(Iowa City, IA) -- A new study into Iowa's soaring cancer rates finds most cases are caused by demographic and behavior risk factors.
A new, one year study by the state and the University of Iowa looked at six cancer types: prostate, breast, lung, melanoma colorectal and HPV-associated cancers.
The findings show 76% of excess cancer cases are linked to risk factors such as age, gender, UV exposure, radon levels and alcohol and tobacco use.
Researchers say that means prevention will help reduce the cancer rate in Iowa, which is the second highest in the nation.
The second year of the study will explore other potential contributors to Iowa's elevated cancer cases, focusing on genetic and environmental factors as well as investigating populations and geographic areas where more cancer has been diagnosed.