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Researchers dissect Biden's renewed effort to cut the cancer death rate in half

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Sixty years after President John F. Kennedy delivered his iconic moonshot speech, President Joe Biden made a call to "cure cancers once and for all."

Last week President Biden gave a speech at the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, outlining the progress of his self-described moonshot: ending cancer.

Six years since River to River host Ben Kieffer moderated a panel that included researchers from the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Research Center and then-Vice President Biden, we focus on the cancer moonshot today.

Experts weigh in on the White House's goal to cut the cancer death rate by at least 50% in the next 25 years and the challenges to overcome in diagnosing and treating all Americans impacted by the disease. Listeners also share their experiences of cancer diagnosis and survival.

Guests:

  • Michael Henry, deputy director, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Mary Charlton, director and principal investigator, Iowa Cancer Registry
  • Dr. David Dickens, hematologist-oncologist, Stead Family Children's Hospital
  • Margaret McCaffery, board director, American Cancer Society
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.