Fairfield to host Cancer Listening Post on Feb. 28

FAIRFIELD – The Iowa Farmers Union is hosting a series of Cancer Listening Posts, including one in Fairfield on Friday, Feb. 28.

The event will be at the Fairfield Public Library from 4:30-6 p.m. Tommy Hexter, policy director for the Iowa Farmers Union, said this is an opportunity for farmers and rural residents to share their personal experiences with cancer. Hexter will attend the event and be joined by Jefferson County Supervisor Joe Ledger, a Republican, and State Rep. Megan Srinivas, a Democrat serving District 30 (Des Moines area).

This is one of four Cancer Listening Posts the organization has put together throughout the state, which Hexter said are bi-partisan since he invites one Democrat and one Republican at each meeting. Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Birmingham) was invited but could not attend.

“Recent data highlights Iowa as one of the states with the fastest-growing cancer rates in the country,” stated a news release from the Iowa Farmers Union. “The Cancer Listening Posts will serve as a platform for individuals to voice concerns, discuss potential causes, and explore solutions to improve healthcare and prevention efforts in rural communities.”

Hexter said Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the country, and is No. 1 in number of new cases per year.

“It’s clear we have a number of risk factors present in our state, and you’d have to guess some of them are related to agricultural practices,” Hexter said. “In particular, the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers is quite high.”

Those who cannot attend the meeting on Feb. 28 but who would like to make a comment on the issue can email Hexter at thexter@iowafarmersunion.org.

Apart from Fairfield, the Iowa Farmers Union is holding Cancer Listening Posts in Spencer, Charles City and Atlantic between Feb. 21 and March 2.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com