The age-adjusted rate of all new cancers diagnosed per 10,000 residents, averaged over five years.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and in Massachusetts. High incidence rates can indicate environmental or behavior risks of cancers, or better diagnosis of cancers.
In 2018-22, Essex County's cancer incidence rate was 43 per 10,000 individuals, equivalent to the state rate and slightly below the national rate of 45 per 10,000. The rate in Essex declined from 51 in 2008-12. The number of new cancers diagnosed in a year was 4,500 in Essex, 38,500 in the state and 1.8 million in the nation.
Essex County's rate was slightly higher than Middlesex, MA (41), and lower than both Lake, IL at 48 per 10,000 residents, and Westchester, NY at 46.
Rates have been adjusted for differences in age among the geographies.
| 2008-12 | 2016-20 | 2018-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | 51 | 45 | 43 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 47 | 43 | 41 |
| Lake County, IL | 46 | 45 | 48 |
| Westchester County, NY | 49 | 46 | 46 |
| Massachusetts | 48 | 45 | 43 |
| 2008-12 | 2016-20 | 2018-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | 4,431 | 4,595 | 4,523 |
| Middlesex County, MA | 7,861 | 8,136 | 8,034 |
| Lake County, IL | 3,142 | 31 | 3,941 |
| Westchester County, NY | 5,438 | 5,767 | 5,922 |
| Massachusetts | 36,128 | 38,719 | 38,479 |
