Home

 › 

Health

 › 

This Is the State Where the Most People Are Getting Cancer

This Is the State Where the Most People Are Getting Cancer

Cancer is among the leading killers in America, although the figures about fatalities in comparison with other diseases have been somewhat changed because of COVID-19. Nevertheless, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and just short of 600,000 died.

While annual cancer rates — cancer cases per 100,000 people — have dropped slightly from 1999, the total number of people diagnosed with cancer has risen. The state where the most people are getting cancer is Kentucky. It had the highest cancer rate in 2018 with 503 new cancer cases diagnosed per 100,000 people, or a total of 27,778.

Some behaviors increase the risks of certain cancers. These include tobacco use, alcohol use, and lack of physical activity. Obesity and HPV can also increase the risk of cancer.

Some cancers are much more likely to be deadly than others. Among the deadliest are pancreatic, brain, and liver. Fatality rates are much lower among those who have prostate and thyroid cancer. (These are the cancers with the highest and lowest survival rates.)

To identify the state with the highest cancer rate, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the U.S. Cancer Statistics for 2018 (the latest year for which incidence data is available) published by the CDC. (Nevada data was unavailable, so the state has been excluded from the list.) Adult smoking and obesity rates are from the 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, and are for 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Why do cancer rates vary significantly from state to state? Utah has the lowest rates of lung cancer and adult smoking, which may be linked in part to the high number of Mormons in the state who eschew alcohol and tobacco.

While Hawaii has the second-lowest number of cancer-related deaths in the country overall and ranks low for adult obesity and lung cancer, it leads the nation in breast cancer. This is possibly due to statistically higher breast cancer diagnoses among the state’s Native Hawaiian and Japanese-American populations.

Obesity has also been linked to greater risk of certain cancers, according to the CDC. Mississippi, for example, has the highest rate of adult obesity in the nation and the second-highest rate of cancer-related deaths. (It also ranks high for lung and prostate cancer, not associated with obesity). In comparison, Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in the country and the third-lowest rate of cancer-related deaths. (These are the most obese states in America.)

Source: ivanastar / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

49. New Mexico
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 350.4 (Total: 9,202)
> Cancer deaths: 3,672 or 136.8 per 100,000 — 7th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 891 or 31.7 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,070 or 78.2 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,474 or 109.0 per 100,000 — the lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.9% — 21st lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.3% — 13th lowest

Source: haydenbird / iStock via Getty Images

48. Arizona
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 368.1 (Total: 32,863)
> Cancer deaths: 12,113 or 132.0 per 100,000 — 4th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,896 or 41.0 per 100,000 — 7th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,272 or 71.1 per 100,000 — the lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,998 or 111.1 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.5% — 11th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.9% — 14th lowest

Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images

47. Colorado
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 387.2 (Total: 24,550)
> Cancer deaths: 7,812 or 128.2 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,371 or 37.5 per 100,000 — 4th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,132 or 96.5 per 100,000 — 9th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,229 or 130.0 per 100,000 — 22nd highest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.7% — 12th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 22.4% — the lowest

Source: Pgiam / iStock via Getty Images

46. California
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 388.4 (Total: 171,748)
> Cancer deaths: 59,961 or 135.3 per 100,000 — 6th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 16,409 or 36.9 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 19,799 or 91.0 per 100,000 — 5th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 27,781 or 121.3 per 100,000 — 9th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 11.5% — 2nd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 24.3% — 2nd lowest

Source: zgr_pro / Getty Images

45. Wyoming
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 394.1 (Total: 2,812)
> Cancer deaths: 997 or 140.6 per 100,000 — 9th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 278 or 37.7 per 100,000 — 5th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 477 or 118.8 per 100,000 — 17th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 404 or 115.9 per 100,000 — 4th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 19.2% — 16th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.2% — 20th lowest

Source: poba / E+ via Getty Images

44. Virginia
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 394.7 (Total: 40,108)
> Cancer deaths: 15,148 or 149.4 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 5,283 or 50.5 per 100,000 — 14th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,765 or 93.6 per 100,000 — 7th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 6,519 or 123.6 per 100,000 — 13th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.1% — 16th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 30.5% — 24th lowest

Source: lippyjr / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

43. Alaska
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 400.7 (Total: 2,990)
> Cancer deaths: 957 or 142.3 per 100,000 — 13th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 344 or 47.9 per 100,000 — 12th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 392 or 98.0 per 100,000 — 10th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 459 or 123.5 per 100,000 — 12th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 18.5% — 19th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.9% — 22nd highest

Source: Fly View Productions / iStock via Getty Images

42. Oregon
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 402.5 (Total: 21,413)
> Cancer deaths: 8,159 or 150.9 per 100,000 — 25th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,632 or 47.4 per 100,000 — 11th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,387 or 86.2 per 100,000 — 4th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 3,624 or 133.8 per 100,000 — 14th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.7% — 20th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.3% — 21st lowest

Source: C5Media / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

41. Utah
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 408.0 (Total: 11,588)
> Cancer deaths: 3,264 or 120.8 per 100,000 — the lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 739 or 26.4 per 100,000 — the lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,707 or 121.5 per 100,000 — 13th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,688 or 116.5 per 100,000 — 5th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 9.1% — the lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.0% — 8th lowest

Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

40. Texas
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 409.5 (Total: 120,013)
> Cancer deaths: 40,865 or 143.5 per 100,000 — 16th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 13,530 or 46.7 per 100,000 — 10th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 14,692 or 102.9 per 100,000 — 16th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 17,796 or 115.5 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.2% — 9th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.4% — 25th highest

Source: ClaudineVM / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

39. Hawaii
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 410.9 (Total: 7,552)
> Cancer deaths: 2,405 or 122.9 per 100,000 — 2nd lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 809 or 40.9 per 100,000 — 6th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,061 or 113.0 per 100,000 — 25th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,311 or 145.8 per 100,000 — the highest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.4% — 10th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 24.6% — 3rd lowest

Source: Mindaugas Dulinskas / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

38. Massachusetts
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 425.6 (Total: 36,637)
> Cancer deaths: 12,635 or 143.1 per 100,000 — 14th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 4,835 or 53.9 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,750 or 110.2 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 5,620 or 127.8 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 13.7% — 8th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.0% — 4th lowest

Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

37. South Carolina
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 426.5 (Total: 27,906)
> Cancer deaths: 10,365 or 157.5 per 100,000 — 15th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 4,066 or 58.5 per 100,000 — 19th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,392 or 102.0 per 100,000 — 15th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,295 or 127.7 per 100,000 — 22nd lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 18.7% — 18th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 34.0% — 9th highest

Source: Thomas Kelley / Getty Images

36. Indiana
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 428.8 (Total: 34,396)
> Cancer deaths: 13,479 or 166.1 per 100,000 — 9th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 5,032 or 60.1 per 100,000 — 14th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,797 or 93.6 per 100,000 — 7th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 5,200 or 126.3 per 100,000 — 19th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 21.7% — 4th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.9% — 10th highest

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

35. Idaho
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 429.5 (Total: 8,761)
> Cancer deaths: 3,049 or 150.1 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 950 or 45.0 per 100,000 — 8th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,214 or 112.3 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,327 or 130.5 per 100,000 — 20th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.0% — 15th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.0% — 19th lowest

Source: Philip Rozenski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

34. Missouri
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 430.3 (Total: 33,143)
> Cancer deaths: 13,040 or 165.2 per 100,000 — 10th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 5,408 or 66.9 per 100,000 — 7th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,550 or 91.3 per 100,000 — 6th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,822 or 123.0 per 100,000 — 10th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 20.1% — 11th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.5% — 16th highest

Source: xavierarnau / E+ via Getty Images

33. Washington
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 430.8 (Total: 38,055)
> Cancer deaths: 12,791 or 145.7 per 100,000 — 18th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 4,418 or 48.8 per 100,000 — 13th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,620 or 101.9 per 100,000 — 14th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 5,874 or 131.0 per 100,000 — 18th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 12.1% — 3rd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.6% — 17th lowest

Source: Korrawin / iStock via Getty Images

32. North Dakota
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 435.5 (Total: 3,789)
> Cancer deaths: 1,320 or 145.7 per 100,000 — 18th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 516 or 57.6 per 100,000 — 22nd highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 581 or 125.2 per 100,000 — 10th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 538 or 127.2 per 100,000 — 21st lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 19.7% — 14th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.9% — 11th highest

Source: kali9 / E+ via Getty Images

31. Florida
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 437.8 (Total: 131,409)
> Cancer deaths: 45,281 or 141.3 per 100,000 — 12th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 17,455 or 53.6 per 100,000 — 21st lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 12,815 or 84.2 per 100,000 — 3rd lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 17,823 or 119.2 per 100,000 — 6th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.9% — 14th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.2% — 12th lowest

Source: smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

30. Michigan
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 438.4 (Total: 56,095)
> Cancer deaths: 21,018 or 161.4 per 100,000 — 12th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 7,984 or 59.2 per 100,000 — 17th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 7,120 or 107.7 per 100,000 — 19th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 8,268 or 127.1 per 100,000 — 20th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 20.1% — 10th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.4% — 17th highest

Source: SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images

29. Oklahoma
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 439.2 (Total: 20,480)
> Cancer deaths: 8,424 or 178.0 per 100,000 — 4th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,159 or 65.0 per 100,000 — 8th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,305 or 98.9 per 100,000 — 12th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 2,933 or 123.3 per 100,000 — 11th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 19.9% — 13th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 34.5% — 7th highest

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

28. Alabama
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 440.5 (Total: 27,125)
> Cancer deaths: 10,632 or 170.3 per 100,000 — 5th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,959 or 61.1 per 100,000 — 12th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,733 or 122.1 per 100,000 — 11th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 3,816 or 119.8 per 100,000 — 7th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 20.0% — 12th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 36.1% — 4th highest

Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images

27. Maryland
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 443.6 (Total: 32,389)
> Cancer deaths: 10,927 or 150.1 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,795 or 50.5 per 100,000 — 14th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,812 or 134.2 per 100,000 — 6th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,950 or 129.5 per 100,000 — 24th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 12.6% — 5th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.6% — 24th highest

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

26. Vermont
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 443.6 (Total: 3,852)
> Cancer deaths: 1,388 or 156.2 per 100,000 — 18th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 507 or 55.2 per 100,000 — 24th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 489 or 105.4 per 100,000 — 18th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 552 or 130.4 per 100,000 — 21st highest
> Adult smoking rate: 14.7% — 13th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.0% — 9th lowest

Source: gorodenkoff / Getty Images

25. Kansas
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 444.3 (Total: 15,346)
> Cancer deaths: 5,607 or 156.8 per 100,000 — 16th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 1,898 or 52.4 per 100,000 — 18th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,050 or 116.2 per 100,000 — 21st highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 2,313 or 132.9 per 100,000 — 15th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.9% — 20th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.0% — 15th highest

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

24. Connecticut
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 446.6 (Total: 20,734)
> Cancer deaths: 6,472 or 134.3 per 100,000 — 5th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,560 or 52.9 per 100,000 — 20th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,784 or 120.4 per 100,000 — 14th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 3,245 or 136.2 per 100,000 — 9th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 12.5% — 4th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.3% — 5th lowest

Source: Sdgjake / Wikimedia Commons

23. South Dakota
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 448.8 (Total: 4,824)
> Cancer deaths: 1,632 or 145.9 per 100,000 — 20th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 598 or 52.2 per 100,000 — 17th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 691 or 120.0 per 100,000 — 15th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 653 or 125.5 per 100,000 — 17th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 20.2% — 9th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.4% — 19th highest

Source: fokusgood / iStock via Getty Images

22. Montana
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 451.7 (Total: 6,412)
> Cancer deaths: 2,038 or 140.9 per 100,000 — 10th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 689 or 45.2 per 100,000 — 9th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,057 or 134.8 per 100,000 — 5th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 985 or 145.0 per 100,000 — 3rd highest
> Adult smoking rate: 18.9% — 17th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.1% — 11th lowest

Source: C5Media / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

21. Tennessee
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 453.7 (Total: 38,007)
> Cancer deaths: 14,141 or 168.2 per 100,000 — 8th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 6,124 or 69.8 per 100,000 — 5th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,889 or 117.1 per 100,000 — 19th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 5,316 or 123.7 per 100,000 — 14th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 20.8% — 8th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.3% — 14th highest

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

20. Delaware
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 453.9 (Total: 5,890)
> Cancer deaths: 2,101 or 159.3 per 100,000 — 14th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 802 or 57.7 per 100,000 — 21st highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 801 or 119.5 per 100,000 — 16th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 910 or 137.5 per 100,000 — 6th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.4% — 23rd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.4% — 18th highest

Source: MichaelHeimlich / iStock via Getty Images

19. Illinois
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 454.1 (Total: 69,403)
> Cancer deaths: 23,885 or 153.6 per 100,000 — 21st highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 9,356 or 59.4 per 100,000 — 16th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 8,606 or 112.9 per 100,000 — 24th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 10,439 or 132.7 per 100,000 — 16th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.9% — 22nd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.7% — 22nd lowest

Source: Chris Hondros / Getty Images News via Getty Images

18. North Carolina
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 455.8 (Total: 58,056)
> Cancer deaths: 19,671 or 154.3 per 100,000 — 20th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 8,186 or 61.9 per 100,000 — 10th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 7,727 or 121.8 per 100,000 — 12th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 9,201 or 138.5 per 100,000 — 5th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.9% — 21st highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.3% — 20th highest

Source: filo / iStock via Getty Images

17. Wisconsin
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 456.7 (Total: 33,727)
> Cancer deaths: 11,457 or 151.8 per 100,000 — 23rd highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 4,390 or 56.5 per 100,000 — 24th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,537 or 117.3 per 100,000 — 18th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,964 or 135.9 per 100,000 — 10th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.2% — 25th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.7% — 23rd highest

Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

16. Rhode Island
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 456.8 (Total: 6,242)
> Cancer deaths: 2,176 or 151.7 per 100,000 — 24th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 875 or 61.2 per 100,000 — 11th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 779 or 113.5 per 100,000 — 24th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,024 or 145.0 per 100,000 — 3rd highest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.2% — 17th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.5% — 15th lowest

Source: OGphoto / Getty Images

15. Minnesota
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 458.3 (Total: 30,944)
> Cancer deaths: 9,910 or 143.3 per 100,000 — 15th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,587 or 51.4 per 100,000 — 16th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,837 or 109.2 per 100,000 — 21st lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 4,559 or 134.9 per 100,000 — 13th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 15.5% — 18th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.0% — 18th lowest

Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images

14. Georgia
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 459.4 (Total: 53,748)
> Cancer deaths: 17,397 or 152.8 per 100,000 — 22nd highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 6,714 or 56.5 per 100,000 — 24th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 7,489 or 130.2 per 100,000 — 8th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 8,174 or 130.9 per 100,000 — 19th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 16.3% — 23rd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.3% — 21st highest

Source: Delmas Lehman / iStock via Getty Images

13. Pennsylvania
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 460.2 (Total: 78,426)
> Cancer deaths: 28,023 or 156.4 per 100,000 — 17th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 10,805 or 60.0 per 100,000 — 15th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 8,917 or 103.1 per 100,000 — 17th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 11,186 or 129.8 per 100,000 — 23rd highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.9% — 22nd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 30.8% — 25th lowest

Source: 7postman / Getty Images

12. New Hampshire
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 460.9 (Total: 8,511)
> Cancer deaths: 2,711 or 144.6 per 100,000 — 17th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 1,113 or 58.2 per 100,000 — 20th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,142 or 114.4 per 100,000 — 22nd highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,288 or 139.5 per 100,000 — 4th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 16.6% — 25th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.6% — 16th lowest

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

11. Ohio
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 461.1 (Total: 68,371)
> Cancer deaths: 25,164 or 165.1 per 100,000 — 11th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 10,024 or 64.6 per 100,000 — 9th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 8,567 or 114.2 per 100,000 — 23rd highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 9,832 or 129.1 per 100,000 — 25th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 21.4% — 5th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.5% — 12th highest

Source: VistaVision / Getty Images

10. Maine
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 465.8 (Total: 9,134)
> Cancer deaths: 3,275 or 161.3 per 100,000 — 13th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 1,438 or 69.2 per 100,000 — 6th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,040 or 98.6 per 100,000 — 11th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,217 or 124.8 per 100,000 — 16th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 19.4% — 15th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.8% — 23rd lowest

Source: nikkormat42 / iStock via Getty Images

9. Mississippi
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 471.4 (Total: 17,037)
> Cancer deaths: 6,510 or 179.9 per 100,000 — 2nd highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,674 or 71.1 per 100,000 — 4th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,464 or 138.3 per 100,000 — 4th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 2,343 or 125.5 per 100,000 — 17th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 21.0% — 7th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 39.1% — the highest

Source: littleny / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

8. New York
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 472.2 (Total: 114,373)
> Cancer deaths: 34,484 or 137.8 per 100,000 — 8th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 14,099 or 56.1 per 100,000 — 25th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 15,714 or 132.4 per 100,000 — 7th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 16,892 or 135.6 per 100,000 — 12th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 13.0% — 6th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.4% — 6th lowest

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

7. Iowa
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 475.7 (Total: 18,715)
> Cancer deaths: 6,427 or 155.4 per 100,000 — 19th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,434 or 58.7 per 100,000 — 18th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,356 or 117.0 per 100,000 — 20th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 2,653 or 135.8 per 100,000 — 11th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 17.4% — 24th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 34.3% — 8th highest

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

6. Nebraska
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 477.7 (Total: 10,798)
> Cancer deaths: 3,516 or 150.8 per 100,000 — 25th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 1,291 or 54.3 per 100,000 — 23rd lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,632 or 141.6 per 100,000 — 2nd highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,540 or 136.6 per 100,000 — 8th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 16.6% — 24th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.4% — 13th highest

Source: Image Source / Getty Images

5. New Jersey
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 479.9 (Total: 53,194)
> Cancer deaths: 16,011 or 140.9 per 100,000 — 10th lowest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 6,006 or 52.5 per 100,000 — 19th lowest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 7,551 or 139.1 per 100,000 — 3rd highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 7,855 or 136.9 per 100,000 — 7th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 13.2% — 7th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.0% — 7th lowest

Source: BackyardProduction / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

4. West Virginia
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 484.3 (Total: 12,210)
> Cancer deaths: 4,682 or 178.5 per 100,000 — 3rd highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,028 or 74.8 per 100,000 — 3rd highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 1,359 or 101.8 per 100,000 — 13th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 1,537 or 121.1 per 100,000 — 8th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 26.9% — the highest
> Adult obesity rate: 37.8% — 2nd highest

Source: Sean_Gao / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

3. Arkansas
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 486.4 (Total: 18,349)
> Cancer deaths: 6,491 or 168.8 per 100,000 — 7th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 2,999 or 75.3 per 100,000 — 2nd highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 2,392 or 125.5 per 100,000 — 9th highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 2,367 or 124.7 per 100,000 — 15th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 23.7% — 3rd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 35.0% — 5th highest

Source: sfe-co2 / Getty Images

2. Louisiana
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 486.6 (Total: 26,935)
> Cancer deaths: 9,382 or 168.9 per 100,000 — 6th highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 3,457 or 60.3 per 100,000 — 13th highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 4,129 or 148.9 per 100,000 — the highest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 3,775 or 132.6 per 100,000 — 17th highest
> Adult smoking rate: 21.1% — 6th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 36.3% — 3rd highest

Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

1. Kentucky
> New cancer cases per 100,000: 503.4 (Total: 27,778)
> Cancer deaths: 10,135 or 181.8 per 100,000 — the highest
> Lung cancer, new cases: 4,803 or 82.8 per 100,000 — the highest
> Prostate cancer, new cases: 3,036 or 109.1 per 100,000 — 20th lowest
> Female breast cancer, new cases: 3,660 or 127.9 per 100,000 — 24th lowest
> Adult smoking rate: 24.1% — 2nd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 34.6% — 6th highest

To top