As cancer rates fall nationally, Iowa sees a troubling rise in diagnoses

By — Fred de Sam Lazaro Fred de Sam Lazaro By — Sam Lane Sam Lane By — Simeon Lancaster Simeon Lancaster Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/as-cancer-rates-fall-nationally-iowa-sees-a-troubling-rise-in-diagnoses Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio For years, national conversations about cancer have often focused on the so-called “Cancer Alley” in the Deep South or Appalachian states with high smoking rates. But recently, a different state has grabbed headlines. Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence in the country and is one of only three states where rates are rising. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Jun 16, 2026