Cancer is something no one looks forward to, but everyone talks about it. Why? Because it seems like everyone knows a family member or a friend that has battled with some form of cancer.
But if you look closely, are those cancer cases centered around a certain area on the map? We wanted to find out, so we researched and found the top 10 states that have the most deaths by cancer. The data is very interesting.
Many factors contribute to state differences in cancer incidence and death rates. Some are behavioral, with some state populations having higher rates of unhealthy habits that increase a person’s risk of developing cancer, such as smoking. Medical care, like early screenings that can detect cancer, also varies by state, and demographics can be a factor. Although the CDC data we’re looking at here are age-adjusted, some states are home to more Hispanics (who, in general, have a significantly lower cancer incidence rate than their white and black counterparts.
Before we get into the States with the highest rates, here are the states with the lowest rates.
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States with the Lowest Cancer Rates
When identifying the states with the lowest cancer rates, three states in the Mountain time zone came out on top. New Mexico came in at No. 1, with 350.4 new cases of cancer per 100,000 in population annually. Arizona has the second-lowest rate of 368.1 and Colorado has the third-lowest with 387.2.
10. Utah
9. Oregon
8. Alaska
7. Nevada
6. Virginia
5. Wyoming
4. California
3. Colorado
2. Arizona
1. New Mexico
New Mexico has experienced the lowest overall cancer rates in the country for several years. It currently has the lowest national rates of breast cancer and both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The state is also among the top five lowest for multiple other cancers, including ranking second-lowest for both lung cancer and pancreatic cancer rates. The American Lung Association reports that the early diagnosis rate for lung cancer has improved 28% in New Mexico over the last five years.
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One cancer that does seem to be a problem in New Mexico is oral cancer, for which it ranks third-highest in the country.
Cities with the Highest Cancer Rates
Detroit, Michigan: Districts in Detroit have high cancer incidence and mortality rates for all sites, including colorectal, lung, and breast cancer.
Fresno, California: Fresno has one of the highest male cancer rates.
Orange County, California: Orange County has the highest overall rate of cancer incidence in people under 50 in California.
States with Highest Cancer Rates
Geographical differences exist in overall cancer rates and in specific types of cancer, according to a 2014 study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For example, breast cancer incidence rates are highest in the Northeast, followed by the Midwest and the South. But death rates from breast cancer are highest in the Midwest, followed by the South and the West.
Lung cancer rates in men are highest in the South, followed by the Midwest and the Northeast. In women, the incidence of lung cancer is highest in the Midwest, followed by the Northeast and the South. Such differences are also found in colorectal, prostate, and other cancers.
Across the 50 states, incidence rates vary between 380-510.7 new cancers per 100,000 population. And cancer death rates vary as well – from 125.6-200.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
Accounting for these differences is difficult because of the long list of variables that may play a role. They include demographic factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status and age; lifestyle factors like diet, smoking and alcohol use; sun exposures; ages of menarche and first pregnancy among women. Occupational and environmental exposures to chemicals or radiation also can affect cancer incidence rates.
Here’s the list of the top 10 cancerous states (starting with the lowest 5):
10. New Mexico
9. Arizona
8. Wyoming
7. Ohio
6. Arkansas
The cancer mortality rate in Arkansas is 200.7 per 100,000
Poverty rate: 19.7% (4th highest)
Relatively unhealthy habits, poor economic factors, and low access to health care and healthy food options likely made surviving cancer much more difficult for many Arkansas residents. Nearly 33% of residents were obese, and more than 22% reported a history of tobacco use — both among the highest such rates in the nation. Also, nearly one in five residents lived in poverty, the fourth highest rate. The percentage of people unable to afford to see a doctor was eighth highest.
Arkansas had a relatively low incidence of cancer diagnoses, despite the fact that more than 200 deaths per 100,000 people were associated with the disease, which was one of the highest mortality rates in the country. With 43 cancer deaths for every 100 cancer diagnoses, Arkansas had the worst cancer survival rate in the country.
Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in the U.S., with 122 new cases diagnosed per 100,000 Americans in 2015. And since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re looking at data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention on cancer rates in different states.
Now, here are the top five states you may want to be concerned about:
5. New Jersey
4. Louisiana
3. Delaware
2. Rhode Island
And rounding off the top 10 states with the highest cancer rates is:
1. Kentucky
That’s right, Kentucky. I know what you’re thinking: why Kentucky? Interestingly enough, Kentucky which has one of the highest smoking rates in the U.S., according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, also has a higher rate of lung cancer than other cancers.
Here’s a breakdown of Kentucky’s cancers by male and female:
For more on states and their health, check here.
