Even though the COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of over 340,000 in the U.S. in 2020, Americans were still much more likely to die from cancer as they were the virus. Before the pandemic, about one in every four deaths was due to cancer.
24/7 Tempo reviewed the population-adjusted cancer mortality rate in every state using data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify the states where the largest share of the population dies from cancer.
More than 1.7 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2017, the latest year for which data on cancer incidence rate is available. Nearly 600,000 died from the disease that year. In 2019, almost 600,000 people died from cancer.
Lung cancer is the deadliest, accounting for about one-fourth of all cancer deaths, according to the CDC. However, the difference in lung cancer mortality rate per capita varies from state to state. In Utah, for example, the state with the lowest lung cancer mortality rate, there were 17 age-adjusted lung cancer deaths per 100,000 residents, nearly one third the 49 per 100,000 rate in Mississippi, where the lung cancer mortality rate is the highest in the U.S.
The states with the highest cancer mortality rates do not necessarily have the highest incidence of new diagnoses, suggesting that other risk factors — such as access to health care and healthy behaviors and outcomes, including smoking and obesity — may have an impact on cancer survival.
Of the 15 states with the highest cancer mortality, all but three have a poverty rate lower than the national average of 12.3%. All 15 have obesity rates higher than the U.S. rate of 29.0%.
The likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer depends on a range of factors — including racial, economic, and education gaps — that contribute to large variations in cancer incidence as well as survival rate — this is the racial divide in cancer deaths in every state and D.C.
Click here to see the states where the largest share of the population dies from cancer.
To identify the states where most people are dying from cancer, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the cancer mortality rate rate in every state using data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2019.
The data for breast, lung, and prostate cancer mortality rates comes from the report, “United States Cancer Statistics: 2001-2017 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report,” accessed from the National Program of Cancer Registries and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Stat Database: U.S. Cancer Statistics 2001–2017, released June 2020.
The percentage of adults who currently smoke as well as the adult obesity rate in each state were obtained from the 2020 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data on the share of the adult population that used tobacco came from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and is for 2019. The percentage of adults who are former smokers also came from BRFSS.
The percentage of residents in every state without health insurance and the poverty rate came from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2019 1-Year Estimates.
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50. Utah
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 117 per 100,000 (total: 3,289)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 503 per 100,00 people — the lowest (total: 10,951)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 451)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 281)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 212)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 16.6% — 2nd lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 8.9% — the lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.9% — 9th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 9.7% — 18th highest
> Poverty rate: 8.9% — 2nd lowest
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49. Colorado
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 126 per 100,000 (total: 7,986)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 558 per 100,00 people — 4th lowest (total: 24,226)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 25 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 1,495)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 638)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 22 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 509)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.5% — 18th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 14.6% — 12th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 21.8% — the lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.0% — 25th lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.3% — 7th lowest
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48. Hawaii
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 127 per 100,000 (total: 2,500)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 674 per 100,00 people — 17th lowest (total: 7,561)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 28 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 545)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 08 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 157)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 14 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 128)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.4% — 21st highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 12.8% — 4th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 23.7% — 3rd lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 4.2% — 3rd lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.3% — 6th lowest
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47. Arizona
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 131 per 100,000 (total: 12,503)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 604 per 100,00 people — 7th lowest (total: 32,494)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 30 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 2,768)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 838)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 663)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.4% — 10th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.6% — 16th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.5% — 14th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 11.3% — 9th highest
> Poverty rate: 13.5% — 13th highest
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46. California
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 132 per 100,000 (total: 59,512)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 560 per 100,00 people — 5th lowest (total: 170,784)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 27 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 11,555)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 4,625)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 3,468)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 23.0% — 9th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 11.3% — 2nd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 23.6% — 2nd lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 7.7% — 22nd lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.8% — 25th highest
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44. Connecticut
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 132 per 100,000 (total: 6,496)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 748 per 100,00 people — 11th highest (total: 21,297)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 32 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 1,508)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 470)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 373)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.2% — 25th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 12.7% — 3rd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.8% — 8th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.9% — 11th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 12th lowest
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44. New Mexico
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 132 per 100,000 (total: 3,614)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 579 per 100,00 people — 6th lowest (total: 9,261)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 26 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 678)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 284)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 218)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.6% — 20th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.5% — 20th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.6% — 13th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.0% — 16th highest
> Poverty rate: 18.2% — 3rd highest
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43. New York
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 133 per 100,000 (total: 33,655)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 733 per 100,00 people — 15th highest (total: 115,007)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 32 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 7,821)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 2,479)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 1,812)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 23.6% — 12th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 14.1% — 9th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.5% — 5th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.2% — 7th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.0% — 16th highest
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42. New Jersey
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 137 per 100,000 (total: 15,698)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 752 per 100,00 people — 10th highest (total: 52,841)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 32 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 3,562)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 1,251)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 767)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 0.0% — N/A
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 13.7% — 7th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.4% — 11th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 7.9% — 23rd lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.2% — 5th lowest
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41. Idaho
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 138 per 100,000 (total: 2,928)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 677 per 100,00 people — 19th lowest (total: 8,624)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 30 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 607)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 225)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 164)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 23.5% — 11th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 14.3% — 10th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.3% — 21st lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.8% — 12th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.2% — 21st lowest
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40. Wyoming
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 139 per 100,000 (total: 1,016)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 652 per 100,00 people — 11th lowest (total: 2,875)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 31 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 216)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 59)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 13 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 41)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.4% — 17th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 18.7% — 17th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.9% — 20th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 12.3% — 6th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.1% — 14th lowest
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39. Florida
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 139 per 100,000 (total: 45,583)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 744 per 100,00 people — 12th highest (total: 124,804)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 36 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 11,403)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 2,993)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 2,409)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.3% — 13th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 16.1% — 22nd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.6% — 12th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 13.2% — 4th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.7% — 19th highest
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38. Massachusetts
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 140 per 100,000 (total: 12,582)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 688 per 100,00 people — 21st lowest (total: 37,769)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 35 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 3,074)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 902)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 640)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.3% — 22nd highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 13.7% — 6th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 24.7% — 4th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 3.0% — the lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.4% — 8th lowest
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37. North Dakota
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 141 per 100,000 (total: 1,316)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 666 per 100,00 people — 14th lowest (total: 3,878)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 35 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 310)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 97)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 79)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 22.8% — 7th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 18.3% — 18th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.7% — 13th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.9% — 19th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.6% — 17th lowest
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36. Montana
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 141 per 100,000 (total: 2,099)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 783 per 100,00 people — 5th highest (total: 6,426)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 32 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 465)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 132)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 26 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 160)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.7% — 6th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.2% — 25th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.8% — 7th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.3% — 24th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.6% — 20th highest
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35. Texas
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 141 per 100,000 (total: 41,489)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 546 per 100,00 people — 3rd lowest (total: 114,402)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 33 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 9,109)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 3,017)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 1,938)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 20.2% — 3rd lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.7% — 18th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 30.1% — 25th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 18.4% — the highest
> Poverty rate: 13.6% — 11th highest
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34. Minnesota
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 142 per 100,000 (total: 10,042)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 730 per 100,00 people — 18th highest (total: 31,249)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 34 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 2,316)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 621)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 582)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.6% — 17th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 14.5% — 11th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.9% — 16th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 4.9% — 5th lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.0% — 3rd lowest
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33. Washington
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 143 per 100,000 (total: 12,960)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 652 per 100,00 people — 10th lowest (total: 37,522)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 34 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 2,928)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 896)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 677)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.1% — 24th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 13.5% — 5th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.8% — 15th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.6% — 17th lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.8% — 9th lowest
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32. Maryland
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 144 per 100,000 (total: 10,743)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 674 per 100,00 people — 18th lowest (total: 31,735)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 36 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 2,575)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 864)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 555)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 22.1% — 6th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 13.8% — 8th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.0% — 23rd highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.0% — 12th lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.0% — 4th lowest
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31. Virginia
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 145 per 100,000 (total: 15,045)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 605 per 100,00 people — 8th lowest (total: 39,910)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 37 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 3,710)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 1,189)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 775)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 23.1% — 10th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 16.4% — 23rd lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.8% — 23rd lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 7.9% — 24th lowest
> Poverty rate: 9.9% — 11th lowest
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30. Oregon
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 145 per 100,000 (total: 8,080)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 659 per 100,00 people — 12th lowest (total: 21,528)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 35 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 1,865)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 516)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 441)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 27.0% — 4th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 16.1% — 21st lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.8% — 19th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 7.2% — 20th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.4% — 23rd lowest
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29. Alaska
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 147 per 100,000 (total: 1,021)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 526 per 100,00 people — 2nd lowest (total: 2,917)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 31 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 203)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 61)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 39)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.9% — 16th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 21.0% — 9th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.5% — 14th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 12.2% — 7th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.1% — 13th lowest
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27. Nebraska
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 147 per 100,000 (total: 3,482)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 726 per 100,00 people — 20th highest (total: 10,491)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 36 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 815)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 247)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 179)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.7% — 21st lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.4% — 14th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.2% — 16th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.3% — 23rd highest
> Poverty rate: 9.9% — 10th lowest
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27. New Hampshire
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 147 per 100,000 (total: 2,819)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 786 per 100,00 people — 4th highest (total: 8,529)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 700)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 161)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 147)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 30.3% — 2nd highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.7% — 17th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 27.9% — 17th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.3% — 13th lowest
> Poverty rate: 7.3% — the lowest
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26. Nevada
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 149 per 100,000 (total: 5,434)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 610 per 100,00 people — 9th lowest (total: 14,105)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 38 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 1,312)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 377)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 259)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.5% — 18th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.6% — 19th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 25.7% — 6th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 11.4% — 8th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.5% — 21st highest
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25. Wisconsin
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 150 per 100,000 (total: 11,505)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 723 per 100,00 people — 21st highest (total: 32,651)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 38 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 2,802)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 687)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 21 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 641)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.8% — 5th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 16.0% — 20th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.3% — 22nd highest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.7% — 8th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.4% — 16th lowest
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24. Vermont
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 150 per 100,000 (total: 1,378)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 771 per 100,00 people — 7th highest (total: 3,901)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 40 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 356)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 81)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 70)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 29.6% — 3rd highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.8% — 19th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 26.3% — 10th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 4.5% — 4th lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.2% — 15th lowest
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23. Iowa
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 151 per 100,000 (total: 6,335)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 770 per 100,00 people — 8th highest (total: 18,600)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 1,620)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 395)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 348)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.2% — 14th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.1% — 25th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.2% — 10th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.0% — 6th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.2% — 20th lowest
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22. Georgia
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 151 per 100,000 (total: 17,756)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 666 per 100,00 people — 13th lowest (total: 52,690)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 4,392)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 1,358)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 22 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 895)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 21.9% — 5th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.5% — 21st highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.0% — 19th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 13.4% — 3rd highest
> Poverty rate: 13.3% — 14th highest
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20. Delaware
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 152 per 100,000 (total: 2,074)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 741 per 100,00 people — 14th highest (total: 5,617)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 41 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 550)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 150)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 15 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 82)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.3% — 13th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.0% — 24th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 30.9% — 24th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.6% — 15th lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.3% — 22nd lowest
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20. Illinois
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 152 per 100,000 (total: 23,902)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 699 per 100,00 people — 23rd lowest (total: 69,222)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 6,009)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 1,730)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 21 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 1,273)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.2% — 25th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 15.5% — 15th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.7% — 22nd lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 7.4% — 21st lowest
> Poverty rate: 11.5% — 25th lowest
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19. North Carolina
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 152 per 100,000 (total: 19,951)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 715 per 100,00 people — 25th highest (total: 57,037)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 42 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 5,286)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 1,464)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 910)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.1% — 13th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.2% — 24th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.4% — 21st highest
> Residents without health insurance: 11.3% — 10th highest
> Poverty rate: 13.6% — 12th highest
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18. South Dakota
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 153 per 100,000 (total: 1,737)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 722 per 100,00 people — 23rd highest (total: 4,739)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 422)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 106)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 16 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 71)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.2% — 15th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 19.3% — 14th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 31.8% — 20th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.2% — 13th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.9% — 23rd highest
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
17. Pennsylvania
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 154 per 100,000 (total: 27,746)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 782 per 100,00 people — 6th highest (total: 79,340)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 6,910)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 2,012)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 1,347)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.4% — 10th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 18.7% — 16th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 30.3% — 25th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.8% — 9th lowest
> Poverty rate: 12.0% — 22nd highest
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
16. Rhode Island
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 154 per 100,000 (total: 2,210)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 685 per 100,00 people — 20th lowest (total: 5,841)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 40 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 556)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 09 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 129)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 116)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.7% — 6th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 14.9% — 13th lowest
> Adult obesity rate: 28.1% — 18th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 4.1% — 2nd lowest
> Poverty rate: 10.8% — 18th lowest
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
15. Kansas
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 154 per 100,000 (total: 5,619)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 697 per 100,00 people — 22nd lowest (total: 15,331)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 39 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 1,390)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 353)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 273)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.6% — 20th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.4% — 22nd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.2% — 11th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 9.2% — 19th highest
> Poverty rate: 11.4% — 24th lowest
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Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
14. South Carolina
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 154 per 100,000 (total: 10,487)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 708 per 100,00 people — 25th lowest (total: 27,762)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 41 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 2,700)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 708)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 22 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 557)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.5% — 18th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 18.8% — 15th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.9% — 12th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.8% — 11th highest
> Poverty rate: 13.8% — 10th highest
Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images
13. Michigan
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 157 per 100,000 (total: 20,923)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 704 per 100,00 people — 24th lowest (total: 54,793)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 42 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 5,502)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 11 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 1,334)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 18 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 924)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.6% — 8th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 19.3% — 13th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.0% — 18th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 5.8% — 10th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.0% — 17th highest
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
12. Missouri
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 160 per 100,000 (total: 12,873)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 727 per 100,00 people — 19th highest (total: 34,379)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 47 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 3,690)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 879)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 537)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.6% — 8th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 20.8% — 11th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.2% — 17th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.0% — 15th highest
> Poverty rate: 12.9% — 18th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
11. Alabama
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 161 per 100,000 (total: 10,266)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 718 per 100,00 people — 24th highest (total: 27,137)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 47 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 2,946)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 704)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 464)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.3% — 16th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 20.9% — 10th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 35.5% — 3rd highest
> Residents without health insurance: 9.7% — 17th highest
> Poverty rate: 15.5% — 7th highest
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Ohio
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 163 per 100,000 (total: 25,170)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 743 per 100,00 people — 13th highest (total: 67,268)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 45 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 6,796)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 1,780)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 1,211)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 24.3% — 16th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 21.1% — 8th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 32.3% — 15th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.6% — 16th lowest
> Poverty rate: 13.1% — 15th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
9. Indiana
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 163 per 100,000 (total: 13,515)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 674 per 100,00 people — 16th lowest (total: 34,318)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 47 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 3,792)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 915)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 594)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.0% — 23rd lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 21.8% — 7th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.4% — 8th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.7% — 22nd highest
> Poverty rate: 11.9% — 24th highest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
8. Maine
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 164 per 100,000 (total: 3,413)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 838 per 100,00 people — 2nd highest (total: 9,061)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 45 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 919)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 10 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 188)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 167)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 30.4% — the highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 17.3% — 23rd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 29.9% — 24th lowest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.0% — 25th highest
> Poverty rate: 10.9% — 19th lowest
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
7. Arkansas
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 166 per 100,000 (total: 6,482)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 761 per 100,00 people — 9th highest (total: 17,474)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 51 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 1,954)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 424)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 17 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 267)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.5% — 18th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 22.3% — 5th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 34.2% — 5th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 9.1% — 20th highest
> Poverty rate: 16.2% — 5th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
6. Tennessee
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 167 per 100,000 (total: 14,382)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 722 per 100,00 people — 22nd highest (total: 37,623)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 47 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 4,001)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 946)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 644)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.3% — 22nd highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 22.6% — 4th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.2% — 9th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 10.1% — 14th highest
> Poverty rate: 13.9% — 9th highest
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
5. Louisiana
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 168 per 100,000 (total: 9,485)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 731 per 100,00 people — 17th highest (total: 26,125)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 46 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 2,559)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 13 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 697)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 21 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 461)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 23.0% — 9th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 23.1% — 3rd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 35.4% — 4th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 8.9% — 21st highest
> Poverty rate: 19.0% — 2nd highest
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
4. Oklahoma
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 173 per 100,000 (total: 8,309)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 669 per 100,00 people — 15th lowest (total: 19,871)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 47 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 2,210)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 560)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 20 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 388)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.3% — 22nd highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 20.1% — 12th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.7% — 7th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 14.3% — 2nd highest
> Poverty rate: 15.2% — 8th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
3. West Virginia
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 175 per 100,000 (total: 4,604)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 842 per 100,00 people — the highest (total: 12,143)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 49 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 1,338)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 302)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 16 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 177)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 26.4% — 10th highest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 26.0% — the highest
> Adult obesity rate: 36.7% — 2nd highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.7% — 18th lowest
> Poverty rate: 16.0% — 6th highest
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
2. Kentucky
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 176 per 100,000 (total: 9,975)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 806 per 100,00 people — 3rd highest (total: 27,714)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 57 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 3,152)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 12 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 642)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 19 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 404)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 25.0% — 23rd lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 24.6% — 2nd highest
> Adult obesity rate: 33.8% — 6th highest
> Residents without health insurance: 6.4% — 14th lowest
> Poverty rate: 16.3% — 4th highest
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
1. Mississippi
> Cancer mortality rate in 2019: 179 per 100,000 (total: 6,587)
> Number of cancer diagnoses in 2017: 731 per 100,00 people — 16th highest (total: 16,585)
> Lung cancer mortality rate in 2017: 49 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 1,804)
> Breast cancer mortality rate in 2017: 14 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 494)
> Prostate cancer mortality rate in 2017: 26 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 373)
> Share of population with history of smoking: 21.9% — 5th lowest
> Share of adult population currently smoking: 22.2% — 6th highest
> Adult obesity rate: 36.8% — the highest
> Residents without health insurance: 13.0% — 5th highest
> Poverty rate: 19.6% — the highest
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