Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in America, and Dr. Richard Deming has been fighting this crisis for four decades. In this powerful conversation, Iowa’s leading oncologist reveals what you can actually do about it.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, we explore the mortality wake-up call that cancer brings and the simple—though not easy—steps that could save thousands of lives.
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 Iowa’s Cancer Crisis: Why We’re Second in America
05:30 The Mortality Wake-Up Call: Cancer Changes Everything
12:00 From Navy Diver to Cancer Fighter: An Unlikely Journey
20:00 Why Screening Saves Lives (But Can Also Harm)
28:00 Iowa’s Two Big Problems: Radon and Farm Chemicals
34:00 The 45% Solution: What We Already Know Works
36:30 Why Smoking Is Still Cancer’s Biggest Killer
42:00 Healthcare Access: The Hidden Cancer Crisis
*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
*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: Iowa candidate Brad Magg takes on corporate middlemen to save local pharmacy
Brad Magg has spent years fighting to keep Colfax's only pharmacy alive. Now he's running for Iowa House District 38—and says the same forces...
WATCH: Iowa bill would ban Spanish-language driver’s license tests
The Iowa Legislature is moving a bill that would ban driver’s license tests in Spanish—and any language other than English. There’s zero evidence...
WATCH: Trump starts a war. Iowa Republicans fall in line
Trump launched a senseless war. Iowa Republicans rushed in to defend it.
WATCH: Shadowy group made Iowa student president sign NDA
We don't hold student leaders to the same standards as local, state, and national politicians. But the Iowa GOP got involved in backing an impeached...
WATCH: Plastic recycling is ‘anything but recycling,’ Iowa field organizer says
There's no such thing as plastic "recycling"—Karin Stein, the Iowa field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force and Eco Madres, explains.
WATCH: ‘Robbing the next generation’: Turek slams Iowa GOP school proposal
On the Iowa House floor on Thursday, Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, called Republicans’ proposal a double standard for public and private...

