DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Cancer Registry made its stop at Drake University Tuesday night as part of its 99 Counties Project.
Iowa currently has the second-highest cancer rate in the country behind Kentucky, but Iowa’s number continues to rise. The state currently also has the second-highest incidence rate in the country.
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Polk County was the 45th stop on the tour. The top five cancers in Polk County, in order, are breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and endometrial. Currently, 59 of Iowa’s counties, 60%, have a cancer rate higher than the national average. Much of the conversation talked about how much of a role tobacco and alcohol play in a person getting some form of cancer.
The Iowa Cancer Registry proposed its policy suggestions at the state level, which include raising the tobacco tax by at least $1, raising taxes on alcohol, and setting minimum unit prices, along with prohibiting minors’ use of tanning beds…