Community members attended a public health forum focused on cancer trends, risk factors, and prevention efforts in Washington County. The event was held on Monday at the Washington Public Library. 

The forum was part of the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project, a statewide initiative led by the Iowa Cancer Registry and University of Iowa College of Public Health in collaboration with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Iowa Rural Health Association. Presenter Whitney Zahnd shared the goal of the presentations, “Our goal is kind of ongoing, as we do these we hope that our intention is that this is kind of a springboard for communities to see what they can do as a community or county to help address cancer in our community.”  These measures include, evidence-based strategies identified in the Iowa Cancer Plan to reduce cancer burden, including tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, radon mitigation, skin cancer prevention, reducing excessive alcohol consumption, and increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities. 

During the meeting, Zahnd presented the latest cancer data for Washington County and provided residents, health professionals, community leaders, and policymakers an opportunity to discuss local concerns and share ideas for improving cancer outcomes. Washington County’s five most common cancers are: female breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and uterine (endometrial) cancer. Notably, the county’s breast cancer incidence rate is significantly higher than both state and national averages.

According to data from the Iowa Cancer Registry, Iowa has the second-highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in the nation, and rates continue to rise. In Washington County, an average of 152 residents are diagnosed with cancer each year, while approximately 105 residents die from cancer annually. The county ranks 54th among Iowa’s 99 counties for new cancer incidence rates.

More information on the 99 Counties Project can be found with this news story at KCIIRadio.com. 

https://shri.public-health.uiowa.edu/cancer-data/cancer-in-iowa-99-counties-project/