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Get the Facts on Cancer: Why Iowa has high rates of melanoma
KCCI • • health
Key Points:
- Iowa ranks fourth in the U.S. for melanoma cases, with an estimated 1,500 new diagnoses expected in 2026, reflecting a 169% increase in rates since 1992.
- The state's predominantly white population, comprising 87.7% of residents, contributes to the higher melanoma rates, as lighter skin has a greater risk for this type of skin cancer.
- States with the highest melanoma incidence per 100,000 people include Utah, Minnesota, Vermont, Iowa, and Arizona, with Iowa reporting 33.7 cases per 100,000 residents.
- The Iowa Cancer Registry collaborates with dermatologists statewide to monitor melanoma cases, noting that most treatments occur in office settings rather than hospitals.
- Dermatologists confirm there is no credible evidence linking sunscreen use to skin cancer and continue to recommend its use as a preventive measure.
