Maine, as a state, faces a significant cancer burden, consistently ranking within the top 10 states in the nation for both cancer incidence and mortality. Recent data from the National Cancer Institute reveals that in 2020, Maine had an age-adjusted cancer incidence rate of 473.4 per 100,000 population, surpassing the national average of 442.3.
Nonetheless, the cancer risk across various counties and cities in Maine is not uniform, varying due to demographics, screening rates, risk factors, and accessibility to healthcare.
The city with the highest cancer rates in Maine
Utilizing data from the CDC, Stacker has compiled a list of counties in Maine with the highest cancer rates. This list is based on the average annual age-adjusted cancer incidence rate per 100,000 population, covering all cancer types from 2014 to 2018. The data also provides insights into the number of new cancer cases and related deaths, the percentage of cases diagnosed at a late stage, and the prevalent cancer types in each county.
According to this analysis, Bangor, situated in Penobscot County, stands out as the city with the highest cancer rates in Maine. Penobscot County had an average annual cancer incidence rate of 521.9 per 100,000 population, which is 10.3% higher than the state average and 18% higher than the national average.
Over the four-year period from 2014 to 2018, Penobscot County reported 5,457 new cancer cases and 2,053 cancer-related deaths, with 51.6% of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage. The most prevalent cancer types in Penobscot County were lung and bronchus, prostate, breast, colon and rectum, and bladder cancers.
The factors behind Bangor’s high cancer rates
Several factors may contribute to Bangor’s high cancer rates, including:
Demographics: Penobscot County primarily consists of a white non-Hispanic population, accounting for 95.4% of its residents. The National Cancer Institute notes that white non-Hispanic individuals have the highest cancer incidence rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the nation, with a rate of 461.9 per 100,000 population in 2020.
Moreover, Penobscot County has an older population, with a median age of 43.7 years, compared to the state median of 45.1 years and the national median of 38.5 years. Advanced age is a significant risk factor for cancer, with cancer risk increasing as individuals grow older.
Screening and Risk Factors: Penobscot County reports lower rates of cancer screening and higher rates of cancer risk factors in comparison to state and national averages. For instance, only 76.9% of women aged 50-74 years in Penobscot County had a mammogram in the past two years, while the state average stood at 79.4% and the national average at 80.7%.
Similarly, just 64.9% of adults aged 50-75 years in Penobscot County had undergone colorectal cancer screening in the past decade, trailing behind the state average of 67.9% and the national average of 68.8%. Early cancer detection through screening plays a crucial role in improving survival rates and reducing mortality. In contrast, Penobscot County records higher rates of smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, all established risk factors for cancer.
Access to Care: Penobscot County lags behind state and national averages in terms of access to healthcare services, potentially impacting the quality and timeliness of cancer diagnosis and treatment. For example, only 88.9% of adults aged 18-64 years in Penobscot County had health insurance coverage, compared to the state average of 91.4% and the national average of 90.9%.
Furthermore, Penobscot County faces a shortage of primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health providers per 100,000 population compared to state and national averages. Access to healthcare can influence the availability and affordability of cancer prevention, screening, and treatment services.
In Conclusion
Bangor is identified as the city with the highest cancer rates in Maine, which is reflective of the substantial cancer burden faced by Penobscot County. The elevated cancer rates in Bangor are influenced by a combination of demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors, as well as the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. To mitigate cancer disparities in Bangor and other areas across Maine, it is imperative to emphasize cancer awareness, prevention, and screening, while also working to enhance access to and the delivery of cancer care.
