In Palo Alto County, Iowa, residents are grappling with a disturbing surge in cancer cases, raising suspicions about the potential role of environmental factors. Small farming communities within the county, such as Maureen Reeves Horsley's hometown, have begun to see their once thriving agricultural landscape marred by an increasing number of cancer-related deaths.

Palo Alto County, with a population of approximately 8,800 people and 840 farms, is experiencing cancer rates nearly 50 percent higher than the national average. Distressed by the frequency of cancer-related obituaries, Horsley and her fellow Iowans speculate that the toxic pollutants and chemicals used in the agricultural industry may be the source of their illnesses.

The impact of this cancer epidemic is not limited to Palo Alto County alone. Iowa, one of the few states to experience a reversal of progress in fighting cancer, has seen its rates steadily increase over the past five years. Currently, Iowa ranks in second place for the highest rate of cancer diagnoses in the country, with approximately 480 cases per 100,000 people. Within the state, Palo Alto County reports the highest cancer rates, with around 660 cases per 100,000 people, surpassing the national average of 442 cases per 100,000 people.

Contaminated water, soil, and air resulting from chemicals used in Iowa's flourishing agriculture industry are believed to be among the primary factors contributing to the state's rising cancer rates. Additionally, Iowa is grappling with a growing issue of alcohol abuse, which has also been identified as a potential factor in the spike of cancer cases.

Concerned residents are demanding further research and investigation into the potentially harmful effects of large-scale chemical use and nutrient applications in the state's agricultural practices. Many recall a time when farmers lived long lives, and cancer diagnoses were not as rampant as they are now.

The stories of the Green, Dunn, and Solberg families further illuminate the crisis in Iowa. Chris Green's husband, Jim Green, tragically lost his battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, after working for 40 years in an aluminum plant. Linus Solberg, a farmer and county supervisor, has witnessed his father, mother, wife, and three neighbors succumb to various forms of cancer.

Experts such as Dr. Nathan Goodyear, the medical director of an integrative cancer center in Arizona, have identified alcohol and pesticides as major contributors to the increased risk of cancer in Iowa. The state's heavy reliance on agriculture, particularly corn and soybean cultivation, requires large quantities of pesticides and fertilizers. Iowa leads the nation in both pesticide and fertilizer usage, accounting for 28 percent of the country's use.

To exacerbate the problem, wastewater from Iowa's livestock and poultry industry is responsible for more waste production than any other state, creating a further risk of contamination. Pesticides, nitrates, and radon leakage, exacerbated by geological changes during the ice age, are potential environmental factors that could contribute to this cancer epidemic.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Iowa health authorities are expanding cancer screening programs and counseling residents on healthy lifestyles and smoking cessation. Efforts are being made to test drinking water supplies and homes for radon exposure, a prevalent risk in the state where approximately 70 percent of homes are at risk.

Amidst this alarming cancer epidemic, the people of Palo Alto County and Iowa demand answers and further action to investigate and address the factors behind the surge in cancer cases. Concerned families, like the Solbergs, long for more extensive research and interventions to mitigate the risks posed to their communities.