Top 10 States With the Highest Cancer Rates

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America and experts are bracing themselves for a dramatic rise in the number of new diagnoses, as forecast by the CDC.

At a state level, there is a notable difference in cancer rates, which are influenced by various factors like population, age, gender and lifestyle habits.

24/7 Tempo recently set out to determine which were the states with the highest cancer rates by analyzing data on cancer diagnosis rates in the U.S. The review also included comparisons between the overall cancer mortality rate as well as incidence rates of the more common cases like breast and lung cancer as well as each state's adult smoking and obesity rates. Based on the review, here are the 10 states with the highest cancer rates:

10. West Virginia

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 11,698 or 472.0 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Lung and bronchus: 75.4 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 4,659 or 182.0 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 24.8% (the highest)
Residents without health insurance: 6.5% (11th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 36.3% (2nd highest)

9. Louisiana

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 25,451 or 473.1 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Prostate: 132.2 per 100,000 (3rd highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 9,149 or 171.7 per 100,000 (10th highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 22.8% (4th highest)
Residents without health insurance: 11.8% (12th highest)
Adult obesity rate: 35.3% (3rd highest)

8. Maine

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 8,901 or 473.4 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Lung and bronchus: 73.5 per 100,000 (5th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 3,275 or 169.4 per 100,000 (12th highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 19.8% (14th highest)
Residents without health insurance: 10.1% (19th highest)
Adult obesity rate: 29.4% (25th lowest)

7. Iowa

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 18,146 or 473.6 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Breast cancer (female): 129.4 per 100,000 (17th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 6,432 or 160.2 per 100,000 (22nd highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 16.7% (22nd lowest)
Residents without health insurance: 5.0% (5th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 32.2% (12th highest)

6. New Jersey

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 51,521 or 474.8 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Breast cancer (female): 133.3 per 100,000 (7th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 16,377 or 148.5 per 100,000 (13th lowest)
Adults who currently smoke: 14.0% (8th lowest)
Residents without health insurance: 9.2% (24th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 26.2% (11th lowest)

5. New York

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 113,026 or 474.8 per 100,000
- Most common cancer diagnoses: Breast cancer (female): 129.1 per 100,000 (18th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 35,363 or 145.3 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
Adults who currently smoke: 14.2% (9th lowest)
Residents without health insurance: 7.1% (17th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 25.7% (9th lowest)

4. New Hampshire

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 8,442 or 480.9 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Breast cancer (female): 145.6 per 100,000 (the highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 2,875 or 163.9 per 100,000 (17th highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 18.0% (20th highest)
Residents without health insurance: 7.2% (18th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 28.0% (18th lowest)

3. Pennsylvania

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 80,089 or 482.5 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Breast cancer (female): 132.8 per 100,000 (11th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 28,492 or 164.3 per 100,000 (16th highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 18.0% (21st highest)
Residents without health insurance: 6.8% (14th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 29.9% (25th highest)

2. Delaware

Cancer diagnoses in 2016: 6,001 or 487.2 per 100,000
Most common cancer diagnoses: Lung and bronchus: 67.1 per 100,000 (10th highest)
Cancer deaths in 2016: 2,124 or 170.9 per 100,000 (11th highest)
Adults who currently smoke: 17.7% (24th highest)
Residents without health insurance: 6.7% (13th lowest)
Adult obesity rate: 30.6% (20th highest)

1. Kentucky