Many Iowans who love the TV quiz show "Jeopardy!" are reacting with shock after longtime host Alex Trebek made the following announcement on Wednesday. "Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer," Trebek says. "Now … [Read more...]
Report finds preventable cancer cases continue to increase
Cancer deaths and new cancer cases will rise statewide in the year ahead, according to predictions in the "2019 Cancer in Iowa" report being released by the State Health Registry of Iowa. Mary Charlton, an epidemiology professor at the University of Iowa, says the increases were expected, for the … [Read more...]
Iowans want funds to stop cervical cancer around the globe
A type of cancer that no longer poses a critical threat in Iowa is still a leading killer of women in other parts of the world and Iowa activists are pushing for help. Danielle Oswald-Thole, the Iowa government relations director for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, says … [Read more...]
U-I starting new trials of vitamin C treatment against cancer
An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, but University of Iowa researchers are testing how massive doses of vitamin C could help fight three of the deadliest forms of cancer. Doctor Joe Cullen, a U-I professor of surgery, is helping head up the study. He says they're launching a new round of … [Read more...]
Effort continues to raise awareness of deadly pancreatic cancer
One of the deadliest forms of cancer is also one of the most difficult to recognize. Today is World Pancreatic Cancer Day as activists hope to raise awareness and raise the odds of survival. Wendi Cihacek, who helped found the Des Moines affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, says the … [Read more...]
Iowa boy has wish come true with video message from ‘Ironman’ actor
A southwest Iowa boy who's being treated for brain cancer got a video message of encouragement this week from one of his Hollywood heroes, actor Robert Downey Junior. Amy Tijerina of Council Bluffs, says her 7-year-old, Jackson, was diagnosed in 2016 and was told he needed immediate … [Read more...]
Iowa Supreme Court justice undergoing cancer treatment is returning to work
An Iowa Supreme Court Justice plans to return to the bench after some time off to undergo treatment for cancer. Justice Daryl Hecht of Sloan plans to begin hearing cases again and participating in decisions after not participating in oral argument cases since March of this year. He had been doing … [Read more...]
Iowans talk with congressional delegation about pancreatic cancer research funding
More than a dozen Iowans whose lives have been changed by pancreatic cancer -- striking themselves or a loved one -- are in Washington D.C. today, lobbying members of Iowa's congressional delegation. Melinda Thach of Ames, a volunteer for the Des Moines affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action … [Read more...]
Iowa Cancer Consortium meeting in Ames to discuss 5-year plan
Doctors, nurses, researchers and survivors are gathering in Ames today for a regional meeting of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. Levi Lappin, a coalition spokesman, says one focus of the conference is to discuss the newly-released Iowa Cancer Plan, a health blueprint for the next five years. "It … [Read more...]
Basketball games double as a fundraiser for ailing Kirkwood coach
A college basketball coach in Cedar Rapids is undergoing treatment for brain cancer and games played last night served as a fundraiser for his family. Kirkwood assistant men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson was in a car accident in October and during examinations at the hospital, doctors … [Read more...]