BURLINGTON, Iowa — The Des Moines County Board of Health has announced a public presentation and discussion focused on cancer trends in the region, scheduled for September 30, 2026. The event will take place from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Burlington Public Library, offering residents an opportunity to engage with public health experts and review local data.

The presentation is part of the “Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project,” a public health initiative designed to enhance cancer education and community engagement across all 99 counties in the state. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa currently has the second-highest rate of new cancer cases in the United States. The project aims to address this by providing localized data and fostering dialogue between health officials and the community.

The featured speaker for the Burlington event is Mary Charlton, PhD, who serves as a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa and as the Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry. Charlton will present the latest cancer data specific to Des Moines County, allowing residents to understand local incidence rates and voice concerns or suggestions regarding public health strategies.

The data presented will highlight the top five cancers in Des Moines County, comparing local age-adjusted incidence rates to state and national averages. Prostate cancer is identified as the most common, with an incidence rate of 138.9 per 100,000 in Des Moines County. This rate is statistically similar to the state average of 133.4 per 100,000 but is statistically higher than the national rate of 119.9 per 100,000.

Female breast cancer ranks second, with a local rate of 118.8 per 100,000. This figure is statistically similar to both the state rate of 139.2 per 100,000 and the national rate of 133.0 per 100,000. Lung cancer is the third most prevalent, with a local incidence of 70.6 per 100,000, which is statistically higher than the state rate of 59.6 per 100,000, though statistically similar to the national rate of 51.8 per 100,000.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cancer in the county, with a rate of 50.4 per 100,000. This is statistically higher than both the state rate of 40.3 per 100,000 and the national rate of 36.9 per 100,000. Finally, uterine (endometrial) cancer ranks fifth, with a local rate of 41.3 per 100,000. This rate is statistically similar to the state average of 30.8 per 100,000 but is statistically higher than the national rate of 28.2 per 100,000.

The event is open to all residents of Des Moines County. The Board of Health encourages community members to attend to learn about these health indicators and to participate in the discussion. The initiative underscores the importance of community engagement in addressing public health challenges and utilizing data to inform local health decisions.

Izvori: https://dmcountyboardofhealth.iowa.gov/news/cancer_in_des_moines_county_presentation_september_30th_burlington_public_library/