High Cancer Rates in Iowa: What’s to Blame?
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Iowa has a cancer problem; nearly all of its counties have higher rates of cancer than the national average. Every year, tens of thousands of Iowans will be diagnosed with cancer, and thousands will die from it. It begs the question: what’s causing Iowa’s high cancer rates, and what’s being done about it? Some of the leading causes are covered in more detail below:
Asbestos
Iowa has a significant history with asbestos-related diseases, which is why so many Iowans rely on resources like https://www.lungcancergroup.com/legal/lung-cancer-lawyer/. There were 2,700 deaths reported between 1999 and 2017 with asbestos-related causes, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. As a result, Iowa ranks in the top 50% of states for asbestos-related deaths, despite not having any natural asbestos deposits.
The main exposure industries and sites in this state include power plants, manufacturing plants, the agricultural industry, and even schools, where contamination occurred during renovations.
While asbestos-related illnesses are still rare, the state has a mesothelioma diagnosis rate of around 1.06 per 100,000 people, as of 2023. Fortunately, a number of actions are being taken to mitigate the risks, such as abatement and inspection before renovations and demolitions, licensing and training for people who will work around asbestos, and worker safety regulations.
Tobacco Use
Out of all lung cancer cases in Iowa, tobacco use is responsible for over 80% of them, and 31.4% of all cancer deaths in the state relate to smoking. Every year, 5,100 Iowans lose their lives to at least 12 types of cancer related to smoking.
The national average for adult smoking is 9.9%, but it’s much higher in Iowa at 12.9%. Despite the higher rate, Iowa hasn’t increased its cigarette tax since 2007. In 2026, the top public health advocacy organization in Iowa announced it would be launching the Iowa Health Initiative (IHI).
As a coalition, it would be dedicated to reducing tobacco-related deaths and diseases in the state. The hope is that increasing the tobacco tax would encourage 9,400 adult Iowans to quit smoking and prevent 2,500 Iowan kids from becoming adult smokers.
Radon Gas
Radon gas is naturally occurring as a radioactive gas produced when uranium, thorium, or radium breaks down in rock, soil, and groundwater. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, which means it requires specialized testing to detect. Worst of all, it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, with 21,000 deaths linked to it annually across the United States.
Iowa has the highest average radon levels in the country, with over 70% of homes exceeding the action level of 4 pCi/L advised by the EPA. Most homes in Iowa are 6.1-8.5 pCi/L, whereas homes across the United States are an average of 1.3 pCi/L.
Regardless of age or foundation type, five out of seven homes in our state have elevated radon levels. There are several actions that Iowans can take to reduce radon levels in their homes, such as:
- Installing a vent pipe system and fan, known as a soil depressurization system, where radon is pulled from beneath the house and is vented to the outside
- Sealing foundation cracks and other openings
- Increasing airflow in your home by opening windows and using fans and vents
- Sealing cracks in floors and walls with plaster and caulk
Iowans are at an increased risk of many cancer types compared to the rest of the country. While you may not always be able to prevent a cancer diagnosis, you can make a conscious effort to be more aware of the leading causes and possibly even take specific actions to make yourself and your family safer.
