About Cancer Screen Iowa

Building a statewide effort to help more Iowans get screened, earlier.

Our Iowa Cancer Story

Nearly everyone in Iowa has a cancer story. Many of us have lost family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers to this disease. And in 2025 alone, an estimated 6,300 Iowans will die from cancer, leaving more than 171,000 cancer survivors across our state.Source:
Cancer in Iowa 2025
Iowa Cancer Registry, University of Iowa

Iowa now faces an urgent reality: our state is frequently cited as having one of the highest cancer incidence rates and one of the fastest-growing cancer rates in the nation.Source:
Why does Iowa have the 2nd Highest and Fastest Rising Cancer Rate in the US?
Iowa Cancer Registry, University of Iowa

We believe Iowa can do more. We must!

That's why Cancer Screen Iowa exists.

We're building a statewide effort to make screening easier, more accessible, and more common for every Iowan.

What Cancer Screen Iowa Is

Cancer Screen Iowa is a growing statewide initiative focused on increasing early detection through higher screening rates across five major cancer types:

  • Breast
  • Prostate
  • Lung
  • Colorectal
  • Cervical

Early detection is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce treatment costs. When cancer is found early, treatment is often less invasive, less expensive, and far more successful.

What We're Working to Achieve

Our goal is to help Iowa become a national leader in early detection and effective cancer outcomes by improving screening rates consistently over time...starting now.

Cancer Screen Iowa is built around a practical, Iowa-based solution that focuses on:

  • Increasing screening rates 1-2% annually over five years
  • Removing barriers that keep Iowans from getting screened
  • Covering the uninsured, while also messaging to the broader Iowa public
  • Building a collaborative public-private partnership involving:
    • State government
    • Healthcare and medical leaders
    • Associations
    • Corporate partners willing to invest and help lead
  • Developing comprehensive, motivating public outreach tied to moments that matter—like birthdays and annual health planning.

Why Screening Rates Are Not Higher

For most people, screening isn't avoided because of ignorance. It's avoided because of barriers.

Cancer Screen Iowa is focused on eliminating the three most common obstacles:

Cost

Co-pays, deductibles, and uncertainty about what's covered

Convenience

Access and logistics remain difficult for many Iowans

Cultural Barriers

Fear, mistrust, or lack of culturally relevant information

When these barriers are removed, screening becomes accessible, and lives are saved.

This Model Works

Cancer Screen Iowa is informed by proven early-detection programs in other states and regions, including successful public-private programs that:

  • Increased screening rates dramatically
  • Reduced late-stage diagnosis
  • Created measurable cost savings
  • Improved statewide cancer outcomes

Iowa has an opportunity to lead, and to do it faster than most states because the need is clear and the support is growing.

Who We Are

Cancer Screen Iowa was developed by Joe Garcia, JT Garcia, and Mike Schreurs, who have researched proven models, met with dozens of leaders statewide, and built a coalition of supporters across government, corporations, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare.

The initiative is currently advancing toward formal nonprofit status (501(c)(3)), and is being built to support a scalable statewide effort beginning in 2026 and accelerating from there.

Join Us

If you are an Iowan, we invite you to start with one simple step: Know your screening schedule. Get screened. Encourage someone else to do the same.

If you represent an organization or want to help build this statewide partnership, we welcome you to connect with us through our Partners / Get Involved page.

Together, we can change Iowa's cancer story.

Check My Screenings Get Involved