National discussions about cancer have traditionally centered around regions like the so-called “Cancer Alley” in the Deep South and Appalachian states known for high smoking rates. However, a new area has come into focus recently. Iowa now has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the United States and is one of only three states where these rates continue to climb.

Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on this issue, highlighting Iowa’s increasing spotlight in national cancer conversations. De Sam Lazaro serves as the director of the Under-Told Stories Project at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a program merging international journalism with education. Since 1985, he has contributed to the PBS NewsHour and frequently participates as a contributor and substitute anchor for PBS’ Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.

In collaboration with Sam Lane, a reporter and producer in PBS NewsHour’s segment unit, de Sam Lazaro aims to shed light on the factors contributing to Iowa’s rising cancer rates. Their work seeks to bring awareness to the challenges faced by the state and investigate potential measures to address this growing health concern.