In the United States, breast cancer is the most common form of the more than 200 types of the disease. It’s also overwhelmingly more common in women – only about 1% of cases affect males – making it one of the two most gender-specific cancers. The other is prostate cancer, which by definition affects only men, as it’s part of the male reproductive system.
In 2023, nearly 280,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to Breastcancer.org, and one in eight American women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes. Over the same period, predicts the American Cancer Society, some 288,000 men will be affected by cancer of the prostate.
The two are the most common forms of cancer in the U.S. Fortunately, cancer-related deaths from both are falling in this country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a 27% decline in overall cancer mortality – from nearly 197 to about 144 deaths per 100,000 people between 2001 and 2020 – thanks to earlier diagnoses, better treatments, and a significant drop in tobacco use, the leading cause of lung and bronchus cancer.
If caught early, breast and prostate cancers have good survival rates. More than 90% of people with these cancers will live beyond five years of diagnosis and most of them will survive beyond a decade and die from other causes. A person diagnosed with lung and bronchial cancer is less fortunate, with just a one-in-four chance of living beyond five years, according to the National Cancer Institute. (These will be the deadliest cancers in 2023.)
While female breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in the United States, it’s not always the most common form in every corner of America. It’s the most prevalent cancer in 20 states, but prostate cancer is the most common in 21 states. In the rest, lung & bronchus cancers take precedence. (Read more about the most common cancers in America and their survival rates.)
To identify the most common cancers in every state in 2023, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the estimated number of new cancer cases that will be diagnosed this year from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center.
Alabama
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 5,320 new cases (540 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 4,500 new cases (720 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 4,280 new cases (2,610 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 30,730 – #23 most
Alaska
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -520 new cases (60 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 470 new cases (60 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 450 new cases (220 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 3,390 – #49 most
Arizona
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast – 6,240 new cases (920 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 5,060 new cases (850 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 4,450 new cases (2,290 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 41,120 – #16 most
Arkansas
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -2,950 new cases (1,680 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 2,510 new cases (390 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 2,500 new cases (340 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 18,670 – #31 most
California
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -32,020 new cases (4,680 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 26,970 new cases (4,090 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 17,040 new cases (9,380 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 192,770 – #1 most
Colorado
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -4,910 new cases (690 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 4,220 new cases (740 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 2,600 new cases (1,450 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 28,920 – #25 most
Connecticut
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 3,990 new cases (400 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 3,620 new cases (480 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 2,750 new cases (1,320 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 23,480 – #28 most
Delaware
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 1,330 new cases (100 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,050 new cases (160 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 920 new cases (500 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 7,240 – #43 most
Florida
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 24,000 new cases (2,650 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 22,670 new cases (3,170 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 19,340 new cases (10,230 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 162,410 – #2 most
Georgia
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -9,440 new cases (1,400 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 9,140 new cases (1,020 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 7,610 new cases (4,060 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 61,170 – #10 most
Hawaii
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -1,480 new cases (180 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 1,190 new cases (150 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 930 new cases (480 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 8,460 – #42 most
Idaho
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 1,700 new cases (200 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,560 new cases (160 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 1,080 new cases (580 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 10,810 – #39 most
Illinois
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -11,530 new cases (1,720 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 10,580 new cases (1,270 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 9,670 new cases (5,000 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 74,580 – #6 most
Indiana
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -6,020 new cases (3,250 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 5,810 new cases (930 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 5,580 new cases (760 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 40,270 – #17 most
Iowa
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 2,970 new cases (370 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 2,810 new cases (380 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 2,680 new cases (1,410 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 20,460 – #30 most
Kansas
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 2,680 new cases (280 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 2,470 new cases (370 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 2,240 new cases (1,330 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 16,840 – #34 most
Kentucky
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -5,170 new cases (2,710 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 4,030 new cases (790 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 3,520 new cases (410 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 30,270 – #24 most
Louisiana
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 4,970 new cases (470 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 4,050 new cases (690 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 3,850 new cases (2,240 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 28,580 – #26 most
Maine
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -1,550 new cases (870 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,450 new cases (190 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 1,210 new cases (170 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 10,490 – #40 most
Maryland
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 5,980 new cases (680 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 5,760 new cases (850 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 4,290 new cases (1,950 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 35,200 – #20 most
Massachusetts
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -6,770 new cases (760 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 6,430 new cases (680 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 5,790 new cases (2,570 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 42,880 – #15 most
Michigan
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -8,980 new cases (1,370 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Lung & bronchus – 8,690 new cases (4,930 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 8,360 new cases (1,210 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 61,910 – #9 most
Minnesota
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -5,220 new cases (640 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 4,880 new cases (630 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 3,970 new cases (2,090 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 34,380 – #21 most
Mississippi
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -2,830 new cases (1,740 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 2,790 new cases (370 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Female breast – 2,610 new cases (470 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 18,210 – #32 most
Missouri
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -5,760 new cases (3,210 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 5,700 new cases (810 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 5,000 new cases (650 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 37,910 – #18 most
Montana
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 1,370 new cases (140 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,030 new cases (150 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 720 new cases (380 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 7,100 – #44 most
Nebraska
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 2,180 new cases (170 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,670 new cases (270 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 1,340 new cases (630 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 11,530 – #37 most
Nevada
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -2,620 new cases (440 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 2,180 new cases (440 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 2,030 new cases (1,260 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 17,370 – #33 most
New Hampshire
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 1,410 new cases (170 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 1,390 new cases (180 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 1,280 new cases (560 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 9,580 – #41 most
New Jersey
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 9,460 new cases (730 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 8,580 new cases (1,200 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 5,920 new cases (2,800 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 56,150 – #11 most
New Mexico
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -1,730 new cases (300 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 1,680 new cases (280 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 960 new cases (560 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 11,280 – #38 most
New York
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 20,390 new cases (1,650 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 18,780 new cases (2,440 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 14,150 new cases (6,330 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 123,810 – #4 most
North Carolina
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -10,730 new cases (1,450 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 10,040 new cases (1,150 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 8,810 new cases (4,660 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 67,690 – #8 most
North Dakota
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 740 new cases (70 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 610 new cases (70 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 530 new cases (290 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 4,370 – #47 most
Ohio
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -11,200 new cases (1,670 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 10,980 new cases (1,310 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 10,680 new cases (5,730 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 74,140 – #7 most
Oklahoma
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -3,390 new cases (2,090 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 3,330 new cases (580 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Prostate – 3,100 new cases (400 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 23,420 – #29 most
Oregon
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -4,220 new cases (570 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 3,400 new cases (500 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 3,030 new cases (1,650 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 26,030 – #27 most
Pennsylvania
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 13,210 new cases (1,440 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 12,830 new cases (1,870 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 11,320 new cases (5,720 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 88,450 – #5 most
Rhode Island
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -1,050 new cases (130 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 1,030 new cases (110 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 940 new cases (470 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 7,030 – #45 most
South Carolina
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 5,770 new cases (640 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 5,430 new cases (800 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 4,650 new cases (2,630 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 33,890 – #22 most
South Dakota
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 1,040 new cases (80 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 760 new cases (110 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 690 new cases (380 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 5,340 – #46 most
Tennessee
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus -6,580 new cases (3,700 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 6,280 new cases (740 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Female breast – 6,210 new cases (1,030 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 43,790 – #14 most
Texas
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -22,280 new cases (3,340 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 17,230 new cases (2,290 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 14,510 new cases (8,330 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 139,100 – #3 most
Utah
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 2,500 new cases (340 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 2,030 new cases (320 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Melanoma of the skin – 1,550 new cases (N/A deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 13,840 – #35 most
Vermont
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -630 new cases (80 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 630 new cases (80 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 590 new cases (280 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 4,370 – #47 most
Virginia
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -7,810 new cases (1,150 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 7,580 new cases (960 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 6,010 new cases (3,320 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 47,100 – #12 most
Washington
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Female breast -7,050 new cases (960 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 6,450 new cases (840 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 5,030 new cases (2,630 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 44,630 – #13 most
West Virginia
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Lung & bronchus – 2,170 new cases (1,290 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Prostate – 1,780 new cases (190 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Female breast – 1,620 new cases (230 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 12,840 – #36 most
Wisconsin
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 5,800 new cases (730 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 5,460 new cases (720 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 4,630 new cases (2,460 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 37,640 – #19 most
Wyoming
> Most common cancer diagnosis: Prostate – 690 new cases (80 deaths estimated for 2023)
> 2nd most common: Female breast – 460 new cases (70 deaths)
> 3rd most common: Lung & bronchus – 330 new cases (200 deaths)
> Estimated new cases in 2023, all cancers: 3,170 – #50 most