Educated People Less Likely to Die of Cancer

People who attend college have a better chance of surviving cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Mortality rates—especially for lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer—were markedly lower among people with more than 12 years of education.

 Researchers believe the findings reflect associations between less education and other risk factors, such as increased rates of smoking and poor access to health care. Death rates were generally higher among blacks with similar education levels, reflecting socioeconomic disparities in work, wealth, standard of living and access to medical case, researchers believe. (More cancer research stories.)