(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa State Senator Catelin Drey has revealed she has cancer.
The Sioux City Democrat says her uterine cancer was caught early.
"I have access to excellent doctors. I was able to get imaging quickly, I have insurance. I don't have to worry how I'll pay my bills, " Drey said.
The 37-year old says most Iowans don't have the same advantages and inaction by lawmakers has made it worse.
"We live in Iowa, unfortunately, the cancer capitol of the country. We continue to tolerate policies that make early detection harder, treatment more expensive and recovery more precarious, " said Drey.
Iowa is second in the nation for its number of new cancer cases.
She's vowing to work to improve access to quality care for all Iowans when she returns from treatment.
Drey won a special election last year to represent Iowa Senate District 1, following the death of Senator Rocky DeWitt.