SAlex Hammer was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 37 years ago. Dianne Chambers has endured surgery, chemotherapy and dozens of radiation cycles to fight against aggressive breast cancer, and Janan Haugen spends most days to help his 16-year-old grandson, who is still treated for brain cancer he developed at the age of 7.
The three were part of a group of approximately two dozen people who met last week in a small town in the center Iowa To share their cancer experiences. They are part of a new research project investigating on the potential environmental causes of what the arm of the American Cancer Society calls a Cancer “Crisis”.
In recent years, Iowa Has the second highest rate of cancer in the country and is only one of the two American states where cancer increases.
“The inhabitants of rural communities fall ill. Cancer is everywhere, “said Kerri Johannsen, principal director of Iowa Environmental Council policies, a non -profit organization focused on environmental improvement that contributes to directing the project. “Everyone I talk to know someone who has (recently) a cancer diagnosis,” she said. “It’s just a constant drum. It’s frightening. “
Kentucky, the only state with a higher incidence of cancer than Iowa, also ranked first in adult smokingwhich is considered playing a major role in high levels of state cancer.
In iowa, the cause was less clear. Last year, a state report Cited alcohol consumption as a key factor. Radon levels higher than the average, an undeveloped natural gas known to cause cancer, is also a concern.
But many residents blame insecticides, herbicides and other pesticides widely used in farms as well as the persistent state problem with high levels of dangerous nitrates which wash agricultural fields in the state water supply.
As an American farm key, Iowa has been known for a long time for green leafy rods of corn which apparently extend endlessly on the horizon. With Nearly 87,000 farmsThe state is classified first not only for the production of corn but also for the production of pork and eggs, and is located in the first five states for the cultivation of soybeans and the breeding of cattle.
Of the 35.7 m acres of total Iowa land, 31m is devoted to agriculture.
Many commonly used pesticides are linked to a range of diseases, including popular herbicide glyphosate, which is classified As a probable human carcinogen by cancer experts at the World Health Organization. Nitrates are also Cancer relatedEspecially when consumed in drinking water or other food sources.
Agricultural fertilizers and manure of large -scale livestock operations are Key sources for nitrates, which are known to contaminate surface water and groundwater.
In addition to looking at pesticides and nitrates, research will also examine cancer links with per- and polyfluoroalkyle (PFAS) substances.
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned of high cancer risks Linked to these agricultural fertilizers contaminated by PFAs.
The work will also include a more in -depth overview of the high levels of state radon as a cause of key cancer, said Elise Pohl, a former community health consultant for the Iowa Ministry of Health, principal project researcher. Radon, a main cause of lung cancer, is particularly high throughout Iowa, with approximately 50% of houses Faced with radon levels above federal regulatory action levels.
“We really want to know why these cancers are increasing,” said Pohl. “We hold on the agricultural side of things.”
The emphasis on agricultural practices as a potential cause of high cancer rates is controversial, according to Adam Shriver, director of well-being and nutrition at the Harkin Institute who helps direct the initiative.
Agriculture contributes around $ 159.5 billion to the state economy – about a third of the total economic production of Iowa, according to The Iowa Farm Bureau. And the influence of the industry is powerful, according to Shriver.
“In the minds of most people, you escape the country for a healthy and clean life and yet … The elephant in the room is that we practice industrial agriculture and that we have had a government which was subordinate to great agriculture and that they were allowed to do what they wanted,” said Shriver.
Iowa Farmers Union’s policies director Tommy Hextel said many farmers were concerned about the health impacts of their use of pesticides, but hesitate to be too vocal.
“We have many people who are conventional farmers who are concerned about them,” said Hextel. “They are worried about cancer in their family. But they don’t want to be done openly on an industry that provides them with essential tools. ”
Several agricultural organizations have been requested their point of view on the new study and fears of the links between agriculture and cancer, but only one, Iowa Corn Growers Association, replied.
“We are interested in examining all the potential causes of cancer,” said Rodney Williamson, vice-president of the association’s research and sustainability. He cited smoking, radon, obesity, tanning beds and alcohol as an additional potential causes consideration. “We should look at all of this.”
He said that as regards pesticides, the association urges farmers to follow the recommendations of the EPA, which makes “in -depth review” of pesticides for potential carcinogenicity and to ensure that they apply pesticides appropriately.
Wonder and worry
During last week’s listening session in Indianola, Chambers described how she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50. She lives about 20 miles south of Indianola, where she and her husband cultivate around 1,000 acres. She said that many others in her region have also suffered from cancers, and although she does not know what has caused her illness, which is now remotely, she remains far from agricultural chemicals.
“Do I think they are chemicals? Do I worry about water?” She asked rhetorically. “I do.”
Funded by donations from individuals and foundations, the research team plans to produce a large examination of the years of published scientific studies as well as the anecdotal information gleaned in listening sessions. Researchers hope to publish some initial results later this year.
Dr. Richard Demung, Iowa cancer doctor for 36 years, said he had donated personal funds to the project, as he believes that more independent research is necessary to shed light on policies that can help reduce cancer rates.
“He’s not trying to throw an industry under the bus. But many people scratch his head,” he said. “” As a cancer doctor who takes care of the patients, I have the opportunity of a patient at the same time to try to help … But if you can warn cancers, you can really make a bigger difference than to treat each cancer that enters your office. “
This story is co-emitted with the New ledeA journalism project of the environmental working group