IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa is one of three states where cancer rates are rising, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. The state also ranks second in the nation for new cases.
The American Cancer Society’s CEO met with a University of Iowa professor and a young cancer patient and his mother Thursday at a fireside chat event to discuss how the organization is working to tackle the state’s cancer crisis.
Iowa’s cancer incidence rates were 11% higher for men and 6% higher for women that in surrounding states like Illinois or Wisconsin by 2022, according to the study.
A diagnosis and long drives to Iowa City
Mekhi Lowery, who spoke at the event, was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2025 at the age of 18. The diagnosis – from a scan of a more than 14-cm-wide tumor – meant a pause on college and long drives to Iowa City from the Des Moines area…