For a long time, discussions about cancer in the United States centered on ‘Cancer Alley’ in the Deep South and Appalachian regions with significant smoking populations. Recently, however, Iowa has emerged as a topic of concern in cancer-related news.
Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer incidence and is one of the few states experiencing an increase in cases. This situation has attracted attention and raised questions about the underlying causes and contributing factors in the state.
Fred de Sam Lazaro, a special correspondent, covers this development. De Sam Lazaro is the director of the Under-Told Stories Project at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. This program merges international journalism and teaching. His association with PBS NewsHour dates back to 1985, and he is a regular contributor and fill-in anchor for PBS’ Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.
Sam Lane, a reporter and producer for PBS NewsHour’s segment unit, also provides insights into this topic. His work contributes to a better understanding of the current challenges Iowa faces with cancer rates.

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