There is new hope Tuesday for people with certain kinds of cancer. A study by the American Cancer Society said cancer death rate in the U.S. has dropped by about 27 percent over the past 25 years. The study shows people with the most common kinds of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer are living longer. Health officials in Iowa said that the decline in smoking has helped, but obesity is to blame for more than half of all cancers in women and 25 percent in men. "If we can help people lose weight, exercise more, practice meditation (and) decrease stress, we have an opportunity to prevent more cancer than we cure with treatment,” said Dr. Andy Nish, medical director of the John Stoddard Cancer Center.Nish said if more Iowans went out for walks each day it would be a big step in preventing cancer in the state.

There is new hope Tuesday for people with certain kinds of cancer.

A study by the American Cancer Society said cancer death rate in the U.S. has dropped by about 27 percent over the past 25 years.


The study shows people with the most common kinds of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer are living longer.

Health officials in Iowa said that the decline in smoking has helped, but obesity is to blame for more than half of all cancers in women and 25 percent in men.

"If we can help people lose weight, exercise more, practice meditation (and) decrease stress, we have an opportunity to prevent more cancer than we cure with treatment,” said Dr. Andy Nish, medical director of the John Stoddard Cancer Center.

Nish said if more Iowans went out for walks each day it would be a big step in preventing cancer in the state.