There is good news that rate of colon cancer deaths is declining across the US. But the statement does not go for three large hotspots where the rate continues to be high.

Researchers stated that factors like high obesity rates, low education and improper access to medical care have led to high colon cancer rates in the Mississippi delta, western Appalachia and the borderland between Virginia and North Carolina.

Study’s lead researcher Rebecca Siegel of the American Cancer Society said they have used geospatial mapping software to know the regions in America that have high rates of colorectal cancer mortality from 1970 to 2011.

Between 2009 and 2011, colorectal cancer mortality rates were still 40% higher in the lower Mississippi Delta than in non- hot spot regions. In the case of west central Appalachia and eastern Virginia/North Carolina the rates were 18% and 9% higher.

Siegel said that rates among black men in the Mississippi delta are not declining at all. As per the researchers, between 1970 and 1990, the colorectal cancer mortality rate has increased by 3.5% a year among black men in the lower Mississippi Delta.

Siegel affirmed that efforts have been made and results could be seen in the case of colorectal cancer. But there are many vulnerable populations that have not been benefitting.

“Targeted interventions, like using people within the community to talk to their neighbors about screening, are likely to be effective. We know interventions work because we have an example in Delaware”, said Siegel.