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: The truth behind the Iowa GOP’s misleading school funding claims
Every year, Iowa Republicans announce a school funding increase. Every year, it doesn’t keep up with inflation. After a decade, schools are $270...
WATCH: Iowa farmers say tariffs are devastating farm economy
Iowa farmers describe the growing crisis facing family farms as tariffs drive up input costs and gut export markets. “There’s no plan,” said...
WATCH: Farmer: Trump’s tariffs ‘undermine our rural way of life’
President Donald Trump has enacted sweeping tariffs on imported goods, igniting trade disputes and disrupting global markets. Some Iowa farmers are...
WATCH: Iowa GOP fears losing, wants to kneecap the next governor
Iowa Republicans are trying to strip the next governor's powers before the election even happens. They've done it before.
WATCH: Iowa Republicans voted for a bill that makes it harder for women to vote
Iowa’s House delegation voted for the SAVE Act—a bill that makes registering to vote harder for the 69 million women whose birth certificates don’t...
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.
