Catchment Area

A "catchment area" refers to the geographic region that a cancer center expects to serve through its clinical services, research, community engagement, and outreach efforts. Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center's catchment area encompasses the entire state of Iowa, attracting patients from across the state who seek cancer care.

Our Rural Emphasis

At Holden, supporting rural communities is central to our mission. 38% of Iowans live in rural counties, where cancer can take an especially heavy toll. While cancer is diagnosed less often in rural areas, residents are more likely to die from it. We also know that Iowa’s population is aging—especially in rural communities—and with age being a prominent risk factor for cancer, the need for care and outreach is growing.

By working together, we can help close these gaps and bring better cancer outcomes to every corner of the state.

Iowa Cancer Plan

Developed by experts and Iowans from across the state, including researchers and clinicians from Holden, the Iowa Cancer Plan consists of five chapters that address various aspects of cancer: Health Equity, Prevention and Risk Reduction, Early Detection and Screening, Diagnosis and Cancer-Directed Therapy, and Survivorship and End-of-Life Care. Each chapter outlines specific strategies for partners to collaborate to reduce cancer rates in Iowa.

You can learn more about the Iowa Cancer Consortium and how you can use the Iowa Cancer Plan as a tool for your research in this Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Grand Rounds presentation.

Iowa Cancer Plan Stories

The Iowa Cancer Consortium has created several short videos highlighting the experiences of cancer survivors in Iowa. Check them out in this YouTube playlist.

Want to learn more?

Catchment Area Data

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center strives to understand how cancer affects Iowans through various types of data. Below is a list of tools, resources, and reports designed to help you gain a better understanding of cancer across Iowa.

Cancer in Iowa Reports

Every year, the Iowa Cancer Registry publishes a report that details the top 10 cancers affecting males and females in Iowa. The report also includes in-depth information on a specific type of cancer or a relevant topic.

Cancer in Iowa Spotlight Series

Using input and feedback from Holden researchers, the Iowa Cancer Registry has created a series of infographics that provide data, risk factors, prevention tips, and an overview of cancers and cancer-related topics impacting Iowans.

Cancer among Black and African American Iowans: Results of a Needs Assessment

This webinar presents 2024 data on the cancer burden among Black and African American Iowans, offering an in-depth look at its impact and exploring strategies Holden Cancer Center and its statewide partners can use to reduce the burden of cancer.

Iowa Counties Health Study 2020

The purpose of this study was to 1) assess perceptions, health behaviors, and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on cancer prevention and control, and 2) examine differences between rural and urban respondents in Iowa. The linked report describes the study methods and provides a table of results.

Project Health Prostate Cancer Survey

This infographic summarizes the results of the Project Health prostate cancer survey, which was funded in part by Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and completed by community partners. Access the full report here.

Interactive Data Tools

The Iowa Cancer Registry houses various interactive mapping tools that include specific cancer data for Iowa. Please review the information below to select the tool that best meets your data needs.

Cancer Analytics & Maps for Small Areas (CAMSA)

CAMSA provides an interactive map to view cancer rates and risk estimates by county or ZIP code in Iowa. The tool covers several cancer types and also shows population density. Because CAMSA uses modeled data, the results are estimates. More details and tutorials are available on the Iowa Cancer Registry website.

Iowa Cancer InFocus

Cancer InFocus is an online tool that lets users explore cancer data through interactive maps and charts. It shows county-level cancer incidence and mortality alongside population, social, and behavioral factors. Users can create custom maps, compare two variables at once with the (CIF)² (Bivariate) version, or build data profiles for specific counties or regions using CIF Profiles.

Iowa Cancer Zones Map

This tool presents cancer incidence and population data segmented by specific "cancer zones." The Iowa Cancer Registry established 48 zones by grouping rural counties and isolating urban areas, allowing for more detailed insights beyond typical county-level statistics. These zones aim to enhance cancer control efforts, public health initiatives, and policy development.