Rising Cancer Rates Become a Defining Issue in Iowa’s Political Races

A State Under Pressure: Iowa’s Cancer Crisis

Iowa currently holds the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the United States. Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the country and is one of only three states where those rates are trending upward, a reality that has made the state’s cancer crisis a central topic in the 2026 gubernatorial and Senate races.

The Economics of Political Messaging

The numbers behind the campaign rhetoric are stark. Reports from the Iowa Cancer Registry show the state’s incidence rate reached 498.8 per 100,000 people for the 2018–2022 period.

Data from AdImpact shows nearly $30 million was spent on more than 100 campaign ads mentioning cancer in Iowa this year. This represents a staggering escalation from the 2022 midterms, which saw only a single ad backed by less than $200,000.

Lifestyle, Environment, and Detection

Health officials offer competing perspectives on the climb. Researchers point to established lifestyle factors: smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption. Conversely, the Iowa Cancer Registry—which has tracked data since 1973 under the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program—notes that increased screening and better access to care can artificially inflate incidence numbers by catching cancers earlier.

Nitrate Levels Challenge Iowa Water Systems

The role of “Big Ag” has become a central point of contention. Environmental advocates and some farmers have focused on nitrate levels entering the water supply. In the competitive Senate race, Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Democratic State Representative Josh Turek have both called for increased funding to ensure safe drinking water. Kaitlyn Sorensen of the Iowa Environmental Council presented on these environmental risk factors during a meeting at the State Bank of Toledo on Oct. 15. At that event, experts noted that Iowa’s water systems are struggling to meet federal regulations for nitrates.

Tensions persist regarding glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. While some activists link the herbicide to rising cancer rates, the state has consistently ranked as the top state for glyphosate use. Iowa Food System Coalition Executive Director Tommy Hexter noted that the state invests $1.5 billion a year in water quality and mitigation, questioning the results of that spending amid soaring farm input costs and declining profit margins. We just have a lot of collective energy and resources in this room where I think we need to keep showing up and making these issues heard, Hexter said.

MAHA Movement Backs Zach Lahn with Funding

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement has maneuvered into the heart of the Republican primary, backing gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn with a $1.5 million contribution from book publisher Tony Lyons. Despite this financial muscle, the movement faces internal skepticism. David Murphy, a MAHA-aligned Democrat, expressed concern that past Republican administrations have not sufficiently prioritized the environmental and health goals championed by the movement.

Public Health Guidance for Iowans

Questions about the specific link between water quality and cancer remain, as the Iowa Cancer Registry notes that no single cause for the state’s high incidence rates has been confirmed. Researchers continue to examine farm and water exposures alongside well-documented risks like radon.

For now, it is recommended that residents test their homes for radon and their private wells for nitrate. Rob Sand is the only candidate in the race with a plan to address those concerns, said Emma O’Brien, the deputy campaign manager. Meanwhile, filmmaker Charlie Morris, who has been documenting Iowa’s cancer crisis, plans to release his film, Iowa and the Broken Circle, on YouTube on Dec. 1, after investigating concerns including airborne chemical exposure and Overspray.

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