MOORESVILLE, N.C. — State lawmakers are demanding change and answers in the investigation into the higher rate of thyroid cancer in two Mooresville zip codes.
Some local leaders are are concerned with the lack of action at the state level.
The state confirmed that data from 2012 to 2016 North Carolina Central Cancer Registry found Iredell County's rate of Thyroid cancer was higher than the state's average.
The bulk of those cases are in two zip codes, 28115 and 28117.
During that time period, data showed there were 191 cases in Iredell County, between two and three times higher than expected in those two zip codes.
Local mother Susan wind has raised more than $100,000 for research to learn why her daughter and so many of her neighbors have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Representative John Fraley told Channel 9 some leaders were disappointed to learn that the state had data showing the county's higher than average rate, but didn't say anything until after wind had started pushing for answers.
"With big data being the way it is now, I don't understand why you can't program all of this data that when you have an abnormality like this that it doesn't pop up on someone's screen," Fraley said.
Fraley said the state explained that its system is set up to communicate with counties about rates of the most prevalent cancers. While thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer, it is not among the most common.
Fraley said when the legislature goes back into session, they need to discuss making changes that will allow counties to get information concerning health trends.
[CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THYROID CANCER]
[CLICK HERE FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY THYROID CANCER STATISTICS]
He said a group of health officials and county leaders have been meeting regularly and should be ready to announce their next steps next week.
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