IOWA, USA — Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation and is also among only two states where cancer rates are increasing rather than decreasing. 

The annual 2025 “Cancer in Iowa” report from the Iowa Cancer Registry, released in February, estimated 21,200 new invasive cancers will be diagnosed among Iowans this year. It also said more than 1 in 20 people in Iowa have had a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their lives.

RELATED: Report: Cancer rates continue to trend high in Iowa — but more people are surviving with treatment

An estimated 6,300 Iowans will die from cancer this year, despite the number of people surviving the disease growing. 

Some of the risk factors are well studied, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and ultraviolet radiation from sun or tanning beds. For example, the Hawkeye state has the fourth-highest rate of alcohol-related cancers and is forth in the nation in binge drinking. 

The Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute are launching a new initiative to explore the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer rates in the state. 

It starts with a Harkin Institute fellow at Drake University who will review academic literature and research to summarize what’s known about environmental pollution exposure and cancer risk. 

IEC and its partners are also holding listening sessions in 15 communities across the state. Representatives will give a presentation about cancer and health data specific to that community’s county. They’ll also explain the project and attendees can share their own experiences with cancer. 

IEC will create a report and statewide campaign about environmental cancer risks to increase access to information and work toward cancer prevention. 

The listening sessions are free to attend but IEC does ask that you register online ahead of time.

• June 17: Burlington, Des Moines County — 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Burlington Public Library (210 Court St) RSVP here
• June 18: Davenport, Scott County — 12-1 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities (2930 West Locust St.) RSVP here
• June 18: Solon, Johnson County  — 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Solon Public Library (320 W. Main St.) RSVP here

You can click here for more information about other listening sessions across the state. Registration has not opened for those yet.