Q&A: Combating Iowa’s Rising Cancer Rates

Iowa Cancer Registry’s 2025 Cancer in Iowa report shows some concerning trends. Iowa has the second-highest rate of new cancers in the United States. We’re one of the only states where the age-adjusted cancer rate is rising. While mortality rates are declining, the growing number of cancer survivors places a greater burden not only on the healthcare system, but also businesses across the state.

Kartik Anand, MD, an oncologist at The Iowa Clinic, and Jodi Schweiger, Executive Director of Business Development, answer questions on how this impacts care and costs in the state.

Q: What’s being done to address these trends?

Schweiger: In January, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds proposed a million-dollar cancer research fund to find out what’s causing these rising cancer rates. The Iowa Senate quickly picked up the bill and it’s working its way through the legislation process in this session. At The Iowa Clinic, we’re not waiting for further research. We’re actively addressing this critical health issue by strengthening cancer care in the state.

Dr. Anand: We have a new team of oncologists, myself included, expanding services in Central Iowa. We’ve all been trained at the top cancer centers in the U.S. and we’re bringing that model and quality of care to Iowa. Along with our physician colleagues in pathology, radiology, surgical oncology and others, we are delivering the first truly integrated cancer care delivery system to Central Iowa.

Q: What does this mean for patients?

Schweiger: Cancer patients will no longer have to travel to Rochester, Omaha or Houston — they can get high-quality care close to home throughout their whole cancer journey. That makes cancer care more convenient and accessible for residents in Central Iowa as well as those who are a short drive away.

Dr. Anand: Part of that convenience and accessibility is our commitment to seeing patients faster. They may have to wait weeks or months for specialty appointments at some of these other centers. When a referral comes to The Iowa Clinic, it’s our goal to get them in right away. We know how life-changing hearing the word “cancer” can be. So we make sure to schedule patients promptly, address their concerns and start treatments as soon as possible. Because most cancers are curable if caught and addressed early.

Once they arrive, patients can expect a truly integrated approach in a community setting at The Iowa Clinic. There’s nothing like it in Iowa. We have hematologists, oncologists and surgical oncologists, and soon we’re adding radiation oncologists. Outside of oncology, we have specialists ranging from gastroenterologists to urologists, all under one roof. It’s a one-stop shop for cancer care. Instead of jumping between locations — or even cities — with other providers, patients have everything they need from screening through recovery.

What does the cancer rate have to do with my business?

Dr. Anand: More than 21,000 new invasive cancers will be diagnosed in Iowa this year alone. It’s estimated that another 171,535 people are currently living with cancer or have had cancer in the past.

Schweiger: Right now, the most common way an individual gets health insurance is through their employer. And the No. 1 cost for employer-based health plans is cancer care. All of the people mentioned above require some form of cancer care, which can cost thousands of dollars a month for each person.

Q: What can bring down these cancer-related costs?

Dr. Anand: With a multi-specialty cancer care team at a community-based clinic, the out-of-pocket costs are 28% less than at hospital-based practices. The costs of chemotherapy and immunotherapy are less.1 Cancer drug prices are lower. There are no facility fees. Emergency room visits post-treatment are lower. Overall, cancer care savings are $8,000 per member per month with a community oncology provider like The Iowa Clinic. 2 This cost efficiency is a benefit to both individuals and their employers. But our main focus is on catching cancers early. The Iowa Clinic has been a trusted provider for cancer diagnosis and treatment for more than 50 years. We have coordinated care teams dedicated to screening and treating the cancers with the heaviest burden on the state: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma and prostate cancer. We also provide genetic testing to identify individuals with greater cancer risks to provide them with the preventive care and support needed to address their risk factors.

Schweiger: Yet many more cancers go undetected every year. That’s why we’re also excited to introduce new tests to detect the less common cancers that are not even caught in these other common screening methods. The Iowa Clinic is one of the first in the state to offer the Galleri test — an innovation that catches bits of DNA in the blood. It can detect more than 50 types of cancer in just one blood draw, including those that are hard to detect like pancreatic cancer and esophageal cancer. By catching all types of cancers early, we can improve outcomes and reduce the costs from more extensive levels of cancer treatment.

Q: How can my business benefit from these services?

Dr. Anand: Anyone can get cancer screenings recommended for their age, health and history. They can also seek out the right cancer care for them. By introducing employees to more cost-effective options like The Iowa Clinic, you can help reduce healthcare costs while also connecting your employees to top-tier treatment and access to cutting-edge clinical trials.

Schweiger: There are many ways to make this connection. You can partner with The Iowa Clinic for on-site screenings, health webinars, testing, flu shots and virtual care. Or build a high-performance network into your company’s health plan to incentivize cost-effective care.

The loss of executive-level leadership is another substantial burden facing many businesses. The Iowa Clinic has an Executive Health program that provides a comprehensive health assessment. It’s more comprehensive than any physical. It covers a barrage of tests and screenings, including the Galleri cancer testing that Dr. Anand does, to give leaders a full picture of their health — and health risks. These assessments provide certainty for both the executives and the companies they lead. These are just some of the services we offer at The Iowa Clinic. We understand that businesses and business leaders shape the health care decisions of their employees through the health benefit plans they offer. We’re willing to consider any ideas that lead to better health for Iowans and better health for your company.