Women’s Health, Cancer Prevention, and the Heart of Iowa

Written by Kaylara Hoadley, CMA (AAMA), Member of Iowa Cancer Consortium 

Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to reflect on the strength, resilience, and leadership of women.  In Iowa, one of the most meaningful ways to honor that history is by talking honestly about women’s health and cancer prevention. 

I have worked as a certified medical assistant (CMA AAMA) for 15 years, mostly spent in OB-GYN. In that time, I have seen how preventive care can truly save lives. I have also seen what happens when barriers prevent women from getting the care they need. 

One story stays with me. A patient delayed her Pap smear for more than five years.  By the time she came to our department, she had advanced cervical cancer that had spread to her bowel. It was painful to watch and even more painful to know that routine screening and earlier follow-up could likely have prevented her death. 

Cancer in Iowa 

Cancer continues to be a major health challenge across our state. According to recent data, around 21,000 Iowans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and thousands of families will feel its impact.  

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in both Iowa and the United States.  Nationally, an estimated 316,950 new invasive breast cancer cases, and more than 42,000 breast cancer deaths are expected in 2025 per the CDC.  In Iowa, breast cancer accounts for more new cancer cases among women than any other form of cancer. 

Cervical cancer highlights a different aspect of cancer prevention, one where screening and vaccination can almost eliminate the disease when implemented widely. Most cervical cancers are caused by persistent HPV infection, but they are also among the most preventable cancers when people have access to vaccination and regular Pap smears.  According to the CDC, nearly all cervical cancer deaths could be prevented with proper screening and vaccination. 

Why Screening Matters 

Pap smears and HPV testing give providers the ability to detect abnormal cell changes long before they turn into cancer. When cervical cancer is found early, the chance of survival is high. When it progresses to later stages, the outcomes are far worse. 

Breast cancer screening is equally important.  Mammograms can find breast cancer early, when they are easier to treat and before symptoms develop.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk ages 40 to 74 get a mammogram every two years to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer (learn more).  Early detection through regular mammograms has contributed to a significant reduction in late-stage diagnoses and deaths over time. 

Barriers Women Face 

Even with effective tools available, many women in Iowa face real challenges in accessing care. 

Geography can present a significant access barrier in rural areas, where women may need to travel great distances for preventive services or follow-up appointments. Financial concerns, including lack of insurance or the cost of time off work, can delay screening for both breast and cervical cancer. 

Awareness and education also matter. Some women do not know when to begin screening or how often to follow up. Others may fear the exam, worry about results, or have had negative experiences with the healthcare system in the past. 

These barriers affect women from many backgrounds, but they hit especially hard for those with lower incomes or limited resources. They are not personal shortcomings but rather reflect gaps in our healthcare system that need attention. 

Stories From the Clinic 

In my years in OB-GYN care, I have seen the power of early detection. Patients who stay current with Pap smears or mammograms often have abnormalities caught early. These women go on to treatments that are less invasive and more effective, and they spend more time with their families and communities. 

But there are also stories of women who come in only once symptoms are advanced after months or years of putting things off because of fear, cost, or life demands. These are not statistics; they are women I have met, cared for, cried with, and learned from. 

How Iowa Can Move Forward 

Cancer prevention and early detection is a community effort. It takes support from healthcare providers, public health programs, families, and individuals. 

We can work toward better outcomes by: 

• Educating women about the importance of routine screening and vaccination. 

• Supporting access to care through flexible clinic hours, transportation help, and reminder systems. 

• Promoting public health programs that offer low- or no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings. 

• Advocating for policies that make vaccination and preventive services easier to access for all Iowa women. 

These are not abstract goals. They are practical steps that align with the Iowa Cancer Plan and give women more opportunities to stay healthy. 

Honoring Women by Protecting Their Futures 

Women’s History Month is about celebrating courage, leadership, and the everyday work women do to hold families and communities together. Protecting women’s health is part of honoring that history. 

When women have access to screening, vaccines, education, and supportive care, families and communities benefit. Healthy women mean stronger families, healthier workplaces, and thriving communities. 

If you are due for a Pap smear, schedule one. If you are due for a mammogram, talk with your healthcare provider about when to get screened. Share reliable information with the women in your life so they can take action too. 

We have the tools to prevent many cancers, but prevention works only when we use it. As Iowans, we can better protect one another by sharing knowledge, supporting access, and making women’s health a priority. 

Learn more at https://canceriowa.org/screening-toolkit/ and take your first step toward prevention today.