Cancer deaths could be linked to where you live

DENVER, Colo. – Where you live may have something to do with your chances of surviving cancer.
 
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found some promising news for those living in Colorado. JAMA examined 29 forms of cancer and the mortality rates associated with each type.
 
In Denver County, the JAMA report found deaths caused by breast, prostate and many other forms of the cancer are dropping. It’s a change the researchers are seeing across the United States.
 
Statistics also showed fewer people are dying from lung cancer, compared to other parts of the country. Denver County’s mortality rate has dropped by more than 22 percent since 1980.
 
There is promising news for people living in Summit, Pitkin and Eagle counties. The three have the lowest cancer death rates in the country, according to JAMA. Other counties like Hinsdale and San Miquel also saw extraordinarily low cancer mortality rates.
 
However, the fight doesn’t stop. Liver cancer deaths have risen in Denver County and in other parts of the U.S.
 
Breaking down the numbers:

• JAMA found 165.9 out of every 100,000 people in Denver County died of cancer in 2014. That number was much lower than the country’s mortality rate, but higher than the state’s rate. Denver County’s numbers declined by 16.4% between 1980 and 2014.
• The county’s death rate for breast cancer was 22.6 out of 100,000 people. That is lower than the U.S. national rate of 25.9 in 2014.
• With regard to lung cancer, the death rate in 2014 was 38.9 out of 100,000 people. That number was significantly below the national rate of 54.2.
• Liver cancer mortality rates are climbing across the U.S., including Denver County. The mortality rate rose by 111.8% in 34 years, to 6.1 out of 100,000 people.