(Des Moines) Polk County has a higher rate of new cancer cases than any other Iowa county and far exceeds the national average. New data from the Iowa Cancer Registry shows that, for every 100,000 Polk County residents, 2,600 are diagnosed with Cancer each year, compared to the National average of just 445. Breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and endometrial cancers are the top five in the county. The Harkin Institute is researching environmental risk factors in Polk County.
Iowa has the highest radon levels in the nation. According to the Iowa Cancer Consortium, four hundred Iowans die from lung cancer caused by Radon yearly. That’s more than car crashes. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the average indoor Radon concentration in Iowa is more than six times the national average. Radon testing for homes costs $50 to $100.
Iowa has become a focal point in the ongoing battle against cancer, holding the unfortunate distinction of having the second-highest rate of new cancer cases in the United States. With cancer affecting so many across the state, public health initiatives like the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project are crucial for raising awareness, enhancing cancer education, and fostering community engagement in every county.
