Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

20 Counties with the Highest Cancer Rates in the US

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 counties with the highest cancer rates in the US. If you do not want to learn about the global impact of cancer, head straight to the 5 Counties with the Highest Cancer Rates in the US.

Confronting Cancer: Global Impact and Trends in the United States

Cancer, being a powerful enemy of human health, claims millions of lives every year all over the world. According to a report by the the American Cancer Society, about 20 million new cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2022 alone, and sadly 9.7 million people lost their lives to this dangerous disease.

The fight against cancer holds a great importance in the United States, where there were over 1.9 million new cases diagnosed with over 600,000 fatalities in 2021. Breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer are among the most common cancers in the United States. The US market is critical in the global cancer therapeutics market, which is expected to reach a value of approximately US$ 335.06 billion by 2029, per Biospace. This market is expanding due to factors like higher healthcare spending, improved treatment choices, and an increase in the prevalence of cancer.

Breast cancer is the most prevailing and common cancer worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024, women will receive a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in about 310,720 new cases. Furthermore, it is anticipated that 56,500 additional instances of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) which is a non-invasive type of breast cancer, will be reported. Regretfully, it is projected that 42,250 women will die from breast cancer. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer type with an anticipated diagnosis of 234,580 new cases the same year, affecting both men and women. Among these cases, 116,310 are expected in men, while 118,270 will occur in women, with around 125,070 individuals losing their lives to lung cancer this year.

Advancements and Challenges in Cancer Care

The pharmaceutical industry invests more than $50 billion annually in oncology research and development. It is projected that by 2028, the worldwide market for cancer medications will increase at a remarkable 13.80% (CAGR) from 2024 to 2028, reaching $359.10 billion in sales.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in response to the growing rate of breast cancer. This program aims to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer by 2.5% annually between 2020-2040 by promoting early cancer detection, prompt diagnosis, and efficient treatment. The market for breast cancer therapies is anticipated to grow from $26.7 billion in 2022 to $54.7 billion in 2032.

There has been a noticeable 29% decrease in cancer-related deaths due to the use of cutting-edge technologies since 1991. This advancement in the battle against cancer is a result of the combined efforts of patients, researchers, and healthcare providers. But even with these improvements, cancer patients still have a lot of financial burden because the median yearly out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment are between $1,730 and $4,727, which is about $976 to $1,170 more than those for non-cancer patients. The financial and emotional toll of cancer is highlighted by the fact that between 22-64% of patients report feeling stressed about their medical expenses.

When discussing cancer treatment, certain companies like Pfizer, BeiGene, AstraZeneca, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:IOVA), and Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR), among others can’t be left behind. For instance, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:IOVA) has made a substantial advancement in the treatment of cancer with Amtagvi (lifileucel), the first FDA-approved T-cell therapy for solid tumors such as metastatic melanoma. A few of the latest achievements are the effective launch of Amtagvi in the United States, preparations for filing international regulatory applications, and the start of Phase 2 studies for endometrial cancer. Nevertheless, there are still issues, like as the IOV-LUN-202 trial’s continued clinical hold regarding LN-145 TIL treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

Financially, in Q4 2023, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:IOVA) reported a revenue of $0.5 million, totaling $1.2 million for the full year, post their acquisition of Proleukin. Fortunately, Iovance has $346.3 million in cash at year’s end, which should last it into the second half of 2025. In Q4 2023, the company’s R&D expenses increased to $87.5 million, mostly as a result of manufacturing and clinical trial costs. Furthermore, Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses rose to $29.9 million in Q4 2023, demonstrating support for Proleukin integration and commercial expansion.

Similarly, Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR) is a biotech startup that is transforming cancer treatment with its innovative targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategy. With KT-253 exhibiting potential as a first-in-class MDM2 degrader and KT-333 displaying potential as a first-in-class STAT3 degrader, both in Phase 1 clinical trials, their flagship programs, KT-253 and KT-333, represent revolutionary advances in the field. Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR) is assiduously pushing several high-value oncology initiatives from early discovery to preclinical stages in tandem with these ground-breaking discoveries.

The removal of Phase 2 milestone payments caused cooperation revenues to drop to $4.7 million from $9.6 million in Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:KYMR)’s Q3 2023 financial report, resulting in a net loss of $52.9 million from $43.0 million in Q3 2022. Expenses for research and development grew to $48.1 million in Q3 2022 from $43.9 million in Q3 2022, mostly as a result of increasing staff and occupancy expenditures as well as costs associated with platform, discovery, and oncology clinical programs.

A scientist in a lab researching the biology of a cancer cell.

Our Methodology 

For our methodology, we have ranked the counties with the highest cancer rates in the US based on the average annual cancer incidence rate per 100,000 people based on data from 2015-2019 in these counties. For the accuracy of data, we relied on CDC.

Here is our list of the 20 counties with the highest cancer rates in the US.

20. Logan County, West Virginia 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 590.6 per 100,000 people 

In Logan County, West Virginia, the total cancer age-adjusted death rate amounted to 147.5 per 100,000 standardized population in 2021-2022, which represented a 2% decrease from the previous year. The most common cancers in this county are lung and bronchus, affecting people mainly above 65.

19. Taylor County, Kentucky 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 590.9 per 100,000 people 

Taylor County, Kentucky saw an age-adjusted lung cancer rate of 78.1 cases per 100,000 people. The total cancer death rate in the county stood at 176.4 per 100,000 people in 2021. The most common cancer in Taylor County appears to be lung cancer followed by breast cancer.

18. Mercer County, Kentucky 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 591.2 per 100,000 people 

Mercer County, Kentucky stands among the counties with the highest cancer rates in the US with a cancer incidence rate of 591.2 per 100,000 people. Around 87 cancer-related deaths occurred each year in the county between 2016-2020. The top cancers in the county during this period were prostate (14.3% cases), lung and bronchus (11.6%), colon and rectum (8.9%), female breast (12.5%), and melanoma of skin (6%). Lung and bronchus cancer made up 20.3% of cancer deaths in the county, followed by colon and rectum cancer accounting for 10.4% of the deaths.

17. Musselshell County, Montana 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 592.1 per 100,000 people 

Musselshell County, Montana has a cancer incidence rate of 592.1 cases per 100,000 people. Around 44 cancer cases were reported each year in the county between 2016-2020 with prostate (16%), lung (11%), colorectal (8%), and female breast (14%) being the top five cancers in the county during this period.

16. Lowndes County, Alabama 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 593.4 per 100,000 people 

Lowndes County, Alabama has a cancer incidence rate of 593.4 per 100,000 people. The female breast cancer rate in the county stood at 139.2 per 100,000 people for white women and 119.6 per 100,000 for black women in 2020. In 2021, around 10,590 Alabamians died of cancer.

15. Lawrence County, Arkansas 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 594.1 per 100,000 people 

Lawrence County, Arkansas stands fifteenth among the counties with the highest cancer rates in the US. Around 118 cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the county. The most common cancers in Lawrence County include female tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer.

14. Monroe County, Kentucky 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 595.2 per 100,000 people 

Monroe County, Kentucky has a cancer incidence rate of 595.2 per 100,000 people with 86 new cancer cases being diagnosed each year. The most commonly prevailing cancers in the county include lung cancer which accounts for 13% of the new cancer cases.

13. Perry County, Kentucky 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 596.6 per 100,000 people 

Perry County’s cancer incidence rate stands at 596.6 per 100,000 people. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the county with more than 27% of cancer deaths in the county. Breast cancer is the next most prevailing cancer with an 89.7% survival rate.

12. Bracken County, Kentucky 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 597.4 per 100,000 people 

Bracken County stands twelfth among the counties with the highest cancer rates in the US. Around 64 new cancer cases are diagnosed yearly in the county. Lung and breast cancer are the most prevailing cancers like every other county. The cancer incidence rate stands at 597.4 per 100,000 people.

11. Hitchcock County, Nebraska 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 598.7 per 100,000 people 

Hitchhook County has one the highest cancer rates in America with an incidence rate of 598.7 per 100,000 people. Around 27 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year. The cancer incidence is higher among men compared to women in the county, with bronchus and prostate cancers being the most common cancers.

10. Pickens County, Georgia 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 599.1 per 100,000 people 

Pickens County has one of the highest cancer rates in Georgia with around 122 deaths in 2017 mostly due to lung cancer. Skin Melanoma is the second most common cancer in the county with an average of 3 diagnoses per 100,000 people. Colorectal and anal cancers are also a great concern.

9. Treasure County, Montana 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 605.9 per 100,000 people 

Treasure County has a cancer incidence rate of 605.9 per 100,000 people. Around 7 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year with lung (14%), colorectal (10%), female breast (13%), and prostate cancer (10%) being the most common cancers in the county during 2016-2020. The median age of cancer diagnosis in the county is 67 years.

8. Logan County, Nebraska 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 611.2 per 100,000 people 

Logan County records around 6 new cancer cases per year. The two most prevailing cancers are lung and bronchus which make up around 15.6% of all cancer cases in the county. Female breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon and rectum cancer are also common. These top five cancers, together make up 54% of all new cancer cases. Around 30.3% of cancer deaths were due to lung and bronchus cancer during 2016-2020.

7. Prairie County, Montana 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 616 per 100,000 people 

Prairie County accounts for a significant cancer incidence rate of 616 per 100,000 people, with at least 12 new cancer cases being diagnosed each year. Female breast cancer accounted for 7% of total cancer deaths and around 22% of cancer deaths were due to lung cancer.

6. Polk County, Texas 

Cancer Incidence Rate: 616 per 100,000 people 

Polk County, Texas stands sixth among the counties with the highest cancer rates in the US with at least 408 new cancer cases being diagnosed each year. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the county and out of all 254 Texas counties, Polk County stands second for having the second highest death rate due to lung cancer. Around 80-90% of cases are reported to be lung cancer due to excessive smoking.

Click to see and continue reading the 5 Counties with the Highest Cancer Rates in the US.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure. None: The 20 Counties with the Highest Cancer Rates in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.

AI Fire Sale: Insider Monkey’s #1 AI Stock Pick Is On A Steep Discount

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

The whispers are turning into roars.

Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore.

It’s the revolution reshaping every industry on the planet.

From driverless cars to medical breakthroughs, AI is on the cusp of a global explosion, and savvy investors stand to reap the rewards.

Here’s why this is the prime moment to jump on the AI bandwagon:

Exponential Growth on the Horizon: Forget linear growth – AI is poised for a hockey stick trajectory.

Imagine every sector, from healthcare to finance, infused with superhuman intelligence.

We’re talking disease prediction, hyper-personalized marketing, and automated logistics that streamline everything.

This isn’t a maybe – it’s an inevitability.

Early investors will be the ones positioned to ride the wave of this technological tsunami.

Ground Floor Opportunity: Remember the early days of the internet?

Those who saw the potential of tech giants back then are sitting pretty today.

AI is at a similar inflection point.

We’re not talking about established players – we’re talking about nimble startups with groundbreaking ideas and the potential to become the next Google or Amazon.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 10,000% Return: This AI Stock is a Diamond in the Rough (But Our Help is Key!)

The AI revolution is upon us, and savvy investors stand to make a fortune.

But with so many choices, how do you find the hidden gem – the company poised for explosive growth?

That’s where our expertise comes in.

We’ve got the answer, but there’s a twist…

Imagine an AI company so groundbreaking, so far ahead of the curve, that even if its stock price quadrupled today, it would still be considered ridiculously cheap.

That’s the potential you’re looking at. This isn’t just about a decent return – we’re talking about a 10,000% gain over the next decade!

Our research team has identified a hidden gem – an AI company with cutting-edge technology, massive potential, and a current stock price that screams opportunity.

This company boasts the most advanced technology in the AI sector, putting them leagues ahead of competitors.

It’s like having a race car on a go-kart track.

They have a strong possibility of cornering entire markets, becoming the undisputed leader in their field.

Here’s the catch (it’s a good one): To uncover this sleeping giant, you’ll need our exclusive intel.

We want to make sure none of our valued readers miss out on this groundbreaking opportunity!

That’s why we’re slashing the price of our Premium Readership Newsletter by a whopping 75%.

For a ridiculously low price of just $24, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single restaurant meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

  • The Name of the Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.
  • Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.
  • Lifetime Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund ANYTIME, no questions asked.

 

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

  1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $24.
  2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.
  3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad lifetime money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

Subscribe Now!

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…