Cancer Drivers in Iowa
A collaborative Project with Iowa Health and Human Services,
and the University of Iowa College of Public Health
Cancer rates in Iowa have been rising since 2013. In response, Governor Reynolds and the legislature passed
Senate File 647 which creates a team of scientists to examine the factors behind the rise in cancer rates in Iowa.
Cancer is like a puzzle—many different factors or “pieces” link together to cause it. These pieces include: behavioral (like smoking or drinking), environmental (like radon or arsenic exposure) and genetic (inherited traits) factors. By studying these factors, we hope to find out what is driving cancer in Iowa and how to reduce the rate of new cancers.
Why This Matters
Understanding the factors that contribute to the high rate of cancer in Iowa will help us to create better public health policies, develop targeted prevention programs, and reduce the number of people affected by cancer.
What the Project Will Do?
Map Cancer Rates
Maps will be created to show where the six most common types of
cancer occur in Iowa. Then, using the specific data, adjustments
will be made for these known risk factors to show the areas that
still have higher cancer rates than expected
Study Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer rates vary across Iowa, which could be a result
of healthcare providers following different prostate cancer
screening guidelines. Screening behavior will be analyzed to
determine if it contributes to Iowa’s prostrate cancer rates.
Review What Works in Other States
Reviewing programs in similar states, with similar risk factors may
provide a better understanding of program and policy ideas that
could work in Iowa.
Strengthen Cancer Prevention
Through undertaking this work, critical data gaps that hinder
effective cancer prevention today will be identified. As information
continues to be collected and analyzed over time, key questions
will be more effectively answered, enabling evidence-based
decisions to be made which will address Iowa’s elevated cancer
rates both now and in the future.
For more information contact the College of Public Health at Cph-phprp@uiowa.edu
Key Facts About Cancer In Iowa
More than 1 in 20 Iowans have experienced a diagnosis of cancer.
Iowa has the 2nd highest rate of new cancer cases in the United States.
Prostate, breast and melanoma cancer rates are rising.
Iowa has one of the fastest rising rates of melanoma in the U.S.
Iowa has the highest rate of oropharyngeal cancer (linked to HPV) in the U.S.
Lung cancer is declining, but more slowly than in other states
Colorectal cancer rates are also declining, but remain higher than most other states