A study finds a rise in early-stage cancer diagnoses may have been a driving factor in Iowa’s increasing cancer rate. The American Cancer Society looked at cancer in Iowa between 2001 and 2022 and found Iowa’s cancer rates started to rise compared to neighboring states after 2013. Daniel Wiese (VEE-zuh), a principal scientist for the agency, says cancer screening and prevention played a role, particularly for early-stage prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Iowa has the second highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in the country and is one of three states with a rising rate of cancer cases. Wiese says the research finds a rise in early detection played a role in the increase in Iowa’s cancer cases.
Wiese says further research needs to be conducted on environmental and health factors.
