Florida Records The Third-Highest Rate Of Cancer In The US

Florida has been reported as the state with the third-most cancer cases per capita.

A new study by Personal Injury Attorneys, Phillips Law Firm examined cancer incidence rates across US states, categorized by cancer type, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to identify the states with the highest and lowest cancer rates. The study used the metric of cancer cases per 100,000 residents to standardize rates across states with different population sizes.

Florida’s Findings

Florida was found to have the third-highest cancer rate in the nation, with a total of 130,062 cancer cases in 2021, a rate of 596 cases per 100,000 residents. Along with 34 other states, breast cancer was the most common type in Florida, with 20,889 reported cases.

States with the highest cancer rates

Maine records the highest number of cases per capita with 650 cancer cases per 100,000 residents in 2021 – the latest available data. Breast cancer leads as the most common type in the state with 1,478 cases, followed closely by lung and bronchus cancer with 1,416 cases.

West Virginia ranks second with 643 cases per 100,000 residents. Unlike Maine, lung and bronchus cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in West Virginia with 2,055 cases.

Florida places third with 596 recorded cancer cases in 2021 per 100,000 residents. With its large population, Florida recorded 130,062 total cancer cases, with breast cancer being the most common type (20,889 cases). Behind California, Florida recorded the second-highest number of cancer cases overall when not considered in relation with the population.

Connecticut records the fourth-highest level with 592 cases per 100,000 residents. Similar to Maine and Florida, breast cancer is the leading type with 3,806 cases, followed by prostate cancer with 3,665 cases.

Kentucky is fifth with 583 cancer cases per 100,000 residents. Like West Virginia, lung and bronchus cancer tops the list in Kentucky with 4,797 cases, significantly higher than breast cancer at 3,862 cases.

States with the lowest cancer rates

At the opposite end of the scale, Utah has the lowest cancer rate in the nation with 358 cases per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than Maine’s rate. Notably, prostate cancer is the most common type in Utah with 2,117 cases, while lung cancer ranks fifth, unlike many other states where it typically ranks higher.

Colorado has the second-lowest rate with 389 cases per 100,000 residents. Breast cancer leads in Colorado with 4,641 cases, more than double the number of lung cancer cases (2,291).

Texas ranks third-lowest with 392 cancer cases per 100,000 residents. Despite having the second-largest population in the country, Texas maintains a relatively low cancer rate per capita in comparison with other states, with breast cancer being the most common (20,001 cases).

Alaska has the fourth-lowest rate with 403 cases per 100,000 residents. In this state, breast cancer is the most pervasive type on the list with 465 cases, closely followed by prostate cancer with 461 cases.

Nevada records the fifth-lowest rate of cancer cases per capita, recording 413 cases per 100,000 residents. Like most states, breast cancer is the most common type in Nevada with 2,186 cases, followed by prostate cancer with 1,870 cases.

A spokesperson from Phillips Law Firm commented on the findings:

“These statistics show significant regional differences in cancer rates across the US. The fact that there’s a 45% difference between the highest and lowest states raises important questions about environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and access to preventive care. People should know that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve cancer outcomes. Regular screenings based on age and risk factors can make a substantial difference in survival rates.

What is most interesting perhaps, is that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer, indicating that more needs to be done in the way of prevention and treatment through means of awareness, funding and more to lower this shocking statistic.”

Complete ranking of states by cancer incidence per 100,000 residents

Methodology: This study examines cancer incidence rates across US states, categorized by cancer type, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to identify the states with the highest and lowest cancer rates. The study uses the metric of cancer cases per 100,000 residents to standardize rates across states with different population sizes. The data cites 2021 findings – the latest available.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://wonder.cdc.gov/cancer.html

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