Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday released the results of its review of cancer cases in Genesee County.
The review found that total cancer rates in Genesee County between 1985-2015 were higher relative to the state.
Lynn Sutfin is with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She said the rates varied by zip code and cancer type within the county.
“Basically it was a bit of a mixed bag and really there were really not any red flags that indicated that there was a particular area that was experiencing a high right of one kind or another,” she said.
Sutfin said that while the county’s cancer levels are higher than the state they are similar to both Saginaw and Calhoun counties, which are demographically similar.
She said the review was done at the request of Genesee County residents.
“The county overall may be seeing a higher rate of cancer collectively than the state but nothing to raise that red flag and that there would be a need for additional studies at this time,” she said.
The review does not have a way to show how life history or environmental factors might have contributed to the cancer rates.
The review would also not show any results from exposures during the Flint water crisis, which began in 2014.