Dr. Mary Charlton directs the Iowa Cancer Registry, tracking cancer diagnoses across the state for over 50 years and helping researchers understand Iowa’s stubbornly high cancer rates.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith talks with Charlton about what the data really shows, why simple explanations for complex problems fall short, and the challenge of doing long-term science in a world that wants quick answers.
Toss some bags at complicated truths… geographic patterns that don’t fit neat theories… the politics of risk factors… why linking cancer to environmental causes takes decades… and the funding crisis threatening Iowa’s public health infrastructure.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by Zachary Oren Smith and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.
*LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:*
– YouTube – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju
– Substack – https://cornholechampions.substack.com/
– Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
– Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
– PocketCasts – https://pca.st/74atty1j
… and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
01:00 – What is the Iowa Cancer Registry and how it tracks 200+ variables on every cancer case
03:30 – How researchers use Iowa’s cancer data (including 30,000 pesticide applicators study)
06:30 – Why different cancers cluster in different Iowa regions (melanoma north, lung cancer south)
08:30 – Public misconceptions about Iowa’s cancer report and oversimplified explanations
10:30 – The alcohol controversy: Why featuring drinking as a risk factor sparked outrage
12:30 – Legislative failure: Why no cancer prevention bills passed in Iowa
15:00 – The “murkiness” problem: Why linking environmental factors to cancer takes decades
19:30 – Funding crisis threatens Iowa’s 50-year cancer surveillance program
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://x.com/zacharyos
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
– Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
– Threads – https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
– LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://twitter.com/iastartingline
– Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine
– TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/iowastartingline
– YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
WATCH: Nathan Sage suspends US Senate campaign, endorses Josh Turek
US Marine and Army veteran Nathan Sage suspended his campaign for US Senate and endorsed primary opponent and Iowa Rep. Josh Turek.
WATCH: Schools are shortchanged in the heartland
If you live in Iowa, you know public school funding is a hot topic. Educators warn of a “funding crisis” as state aid lags behind inflation. How...
WATCH: ICE imposters in Iowa
Someone in Iowa decorated their car to look like immigration enforcement. It's illegal. And ICE and Border Patrol agents’ own tactics are making it...
WATCH: Iowan confronts GOP lawmakers for worsening workforce shortages
Workers are leaving Iowa in droves. One Iowan confronted Republican lawmakers about how striking state affirmative action policies and allowing for...
WATCH: Iowa Republicans want to ban bookmobiles from schools
Iowa already banned over 3,000 books from school libraries. Now lawmakers want to make sure kids can't get to the public library either.
WATCH: Iowa Mennonites hold ‘Sing Down the Doors at Target’ protests against ICE
Iowa Mennonites and supporters joined nationwide protests calling for Target, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, to publicly oppose the violent...
