3rd straight year Iowa has 2nd worst cancer rate

ANKENY, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) – Something is happening to Iowans. Researchers, doctors, and other medical professionals hope to figure out what is causing it. For the third straight year, the Iowa Cancer Registry reported that the state has the second highest rate in new cancer diagnoses.

Several dozen people from the medical community gathered at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny for the Iowa Cancer Report. They heard the sobering state of cancer in Iowa.

• 21,000 new cases of cancer (estimated)
• 6,100 Iowans will die from cancer (estimated)
• 168,610 cancer survivors in Iowa (estimated)

The Iowa Cancer Report points out that there is no one reason why the state is only one of two in the country with rising rates of cancer. But the report highlights the high use of alcohol.

Iowans have the fourth highest rate of alcohol-related cancers and the fourth highest rate of binge drinking. The research shows that Iowans who are between 25-34 have the highest binge drinking rate of any age group. And Iowans making more than $100,000 annually binge drink more than those who make less money.

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