Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in Iowa
The Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute announced the launch of a new initiative that explores the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer rates in Iowa.
Iowa has the second-highest cancer rates in the nation, and it is among only two states where cancer rates are increasing, not decreasing. An estimated 21,200 new invasive cancers will be diagnosed among Iowans in 2025, according to the Iowa Cancer Registry’s annual “Cancer in Iowa” report.
While some risk factors for cancers are well known and studied, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, other potential causes are less understood.
“We know that our environment and our health are inextricably linked,” says Sarah Green, Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council. “With so many Iowans’ lives touched by cancer, it’s important that we explore every link and find ways we can work together to mitigate all potential sources of risk and save lives.”
The initiative combines a rigorous review of existing academic research about environmental risk factors and their sources with a statewide campaign to listen to, understand, and amplify Iowans’ own lived experiences with cancer.
Cancer in Iowa Listening Sessions
In the summer of 2025, IEC, The Harkin Institute, and the Iowa Farmers Union hosted 16 listening sessions throughout Iowa, in both urban and rural communities that have been impacted by cancer. Our entire goal was to listen — and hundreds of Iowans came out to share powerful stories of their lived experience with cancer.
During the fall, we are working to analyze the data from these events, which will be included in a public report and launch, anticipated in November 2025. If you want to stay in the loop on this project, sign up for our email updates.
If you'd like to share a story about how cancer has impacted your life and/or loved ones, email us at iecmail@iaenvironment.org or submit it online using this link.
Project Resources
Click here to download the project overview flyer.
Share your story.
Read the annual Cancer in Iowa report from the Iowa Cancer Registry.