Presenter information:
Mary Charlton, PhD
Professor, University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology
Director, Iowa Cancer Registry
Whitney Zahnd
Assistant Professor, University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy
Past-president of the Iowa Rural Health Association
About the Project: Iowa has the second highest rate of new cancer in the U.S. The Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project is a public health initiative aimed at enhancing cancer education and community engagement across all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Representatives from the 99 Counties Project will share the latest cancer data related to Henry County and provide residents with an opportunity to voice concerns or suggestions.
Cancer in Henry County:
In looking at the cancer rates for Henry County, we noted the top 5 cancers are:
- #1 Female breast cancer. Age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rate for Henry County (117 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (136.9 per 100,000) and national (129.8 per 100,000) rates.
- #2 Prostate cancer. The age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence rate for Henry County (104.4 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (125.9 per 100,000) and national (113.2 per 100,000) rates.
- # 3 Lung cancer. The age-adjusted lung cancer incidence rate for Henry County (61.9 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (60.8 per 100,000) and national (53.1 per 100,000) rates.
- #4 Uterine (endometrial) Cancer. Age-adjusted uterine cancer incidence rate for Henry County (50.9 per 100,000) is statistically higher than the state (30.3 per 100,000) and national (27.8 per 100,000) rates.
- #5 Colorectal Cancer. The age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence rate for Henry County (39.4 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (39.9 per 100,000) and national (36.4 per 100,000) rates.
Additional Support and Resources: To help understand and address cancer in Iowa communities, there are several resources available. A resource guide is available on our website: www.iowacancerregistry.org/99
The Iowa Cancer Plan has identified the following strategies to significantly reduce the burden of cancer in Iowa:
- Effective tobacco prevention policies (e.g., increasing the cigarette tax rate) and smoking cessation treatment
- Radon mitigation strategies
- Policies that increase opportunities for sun protection in outdoor settings, increase awareness about skin cancer prevention and screening, or decrease use of indoor tanning beds could reduce melanoma rates. As of Jan. 2024, 44 states have laws that restrict minor’s use of commercial tanning devices, 20 of which completely ban use of tanning beds for minors. Iowa has no laws restricting use of tanning beds by minors.
- Policies to decrease alcohol consumption and binge drinking
- Enhancing opportunities for Iowans to access nutritious food and be physically active
Questions: icr-99countiesproject@uiowa.edu
Slides to the presentation will be posted on our website after the conclusion of the meeting: www.iowacancerregisty.org/99