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Cancer Resources

Marion Vanneste, postdoctoral research scholar in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Cancer in Iowa Resource Guide

Iowa’s rising cancer rates concern us all. The Iowa Medical Society created this guide to give physicians clear, evidence-based resources to better understand Iowa’s cancer burden and support patient care. Here you’ll find data sources, background information, and practical tools for prevention, screening, and survivorship. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

Resources

Iowa HHS Statewide Cancer Drivers Project

Goals:

The effort is focused on understanding why Iowa continues to have some of the highest cancer incidence rates in the country. The goals include:

  • Identifying the environmental, behavioral, and health-system factors contributing to Iowa’s elevated cancer burden.
  • Determining which of these factors are the most actionable.
  • Using the findings to guide statewide prevention, policy, and investment strategies.

Areas of Focus:
The project team is analyzing several priority domains:

  1. Environmental exposures – evaluating geographic patterns of cancer alongside environmental exposures.
  2. Behavioral and lifestyle factors – including smoking, obesity, alcohol use, and other modifiable risks.
  3. Screening and early detection – assessing gaps in screening access and uptake.

Next Steps:

  • Continued deep-dive modeling using linked environmental, behavioral, and healthcare datasets.
  • Refinement of geographic “hot spot” analyses.
  • Development of a statewide findings report.
  • Planning for longer-term prevention efforts focused on modifiable risks and improved screening based on findings

To contribute additional resources or ideas, please reach out to Josie Sylte, IMS Director of Communications and Marketing at jsytle@iowamedical.org.

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