Iowa's Rising Cancer Rates Bring Water Quality and Farm Chemicals into Political Spotlight

Cancer rates in Iowa are currently 10% higher than the national average, prompting concerns that environmental toxins in the state's water supply may be a contributing factor. This increase, affecting rates of prostate, breast, colorectal, melanoma, and lung cancers, is occurring at a time when cancer onset is decreasing in most other U.S. states. Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn has stated that any discussion of cancer rates must include water quality and nitrate levels, emphasizing that "It doesn’t matter if you’re left or right, you’re drinking the water."

Iowa's agricultural landscape, dominated by corn and soybean production and hog farming, contributes to nitrogen runoff that can enter the water used for drinking. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not currently classify nitrates as carcinogens, they can be converted within the human body into probable carcinogens through a process called nitrosation. Additionally, concerns exist regarding the use of pesticides and so-called "forever chemicals."

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by former HHS Secretary RFK Jr., has highlighted the need to decrease exposure to these chemicals. MAHA Action President Tony Lyons noted that numerous studies link contaminated water, rich in nitrates from fertilizer and manure, to cancer. He also pointed to studies connecting chemicals found in many pesticides to an increased risk of colorectal, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and other cancers.

Despite these environmental concerns, state-funded research from the University of Iowa suggests that demographic and behavioral factors, such as smoking and binge drinking, can explain most, though not all, of Iowa's elevated cancer rates. In response to the increased focus on the state's cancer incidence, the University of Iowa has also expanded its cancer research initiatives.

One notable success from this research involves Linda Jacobs, 64, who was treated for an aggressive angiosarcoma with a genetically altered herpes virus by physician Mohammed Milhem. Jacobs had previously undergone a bilateral mastectomy and radiation therapy for recurrent breast cancer. Milhem's experimental treatment rendered her cancer-free.

While medical advancements offer hope for patients, the growing attention on Iowa's cancer rates underscores the importance of addressing potential environmental contributors, such as the detoxification of the environment, alongside lifestyle changes. The issue has become a significant talking point for candidates, with political figures on both sides of the aisle engaging with the topic.