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Tennessee Value:
Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
Tennessee Rank:
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Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
<= 1.9%
2.0% - 2.4%
2.5% - 2.8%
2.9% - 3.2%
>= 3.3%
US Value: 2.3%
Top State(s): Hawaii: 1.6%
Bottom State(s): North Dakota: 3.9%
Definition: Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported being told by a health professional that they had any type of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
Data Source and Years(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2021-2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. The most common cancer among women is breast cancer, accounting for 32% of new cases. The deadliest cancer among women is lung cancer, which accounts for 21% of cancer deaths among women.
The biggest risk factor for cancer is aging. Other cancer risks include tobacco use, environmental carcinogens, genetic factors and viral and bacterial infections.
The national cost of cancer care was projected to be $208.9 billion in 2020, which is likely an underestimate due to rising treatment costs. Assuming the number of new diagnoses and the rate of survival remain constant, those costs are expected to increase to $246 billion by 2030.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of cancer is higher among:
A 2022 study identified a rising trend in aggressive uterine and breast cancer diagnoses, disproportionately affecting Black women. While the incidence rates of uterine cancer were similar for Black women and white women, the mortality rate was twice as high for Black women. Black women also experience higher rates of aggressive breast cancer subtypes, such as estrogen-receptor–negative and triple-negative, than the general population.
While there is no universal cure, there are ways for providers and individuals to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Some evidence-based approaches include:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that all women should be screened for breast cancer every two years, starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This is a change from the previous recommendation to initiate screening between ages 40-50 based on individual health history and preferences. More information on specific screening, counseling and prevention recommendations for cancer are available from the USPSTF website.
Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to cancer, including:
American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2023.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf.
“Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf.
Cronin, Kathleen A., Susan Scott, Albert U. Firth, Hyuna Sung, S. Jane Henley, Recinda L. Sherman, Rebecca L. Siegel, et al. “Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, Part 1: National Cancer Statistics.” Cancer 128, no. 24 (December 15, 2022): 4251–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34479.
Mariotto, Angela B., Lindsey Enewold, Jingxuan Zhao, Christopher A. Zeruto, and K. Robin Yabroff. “Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 29, no. 7 (July 2020): 1304–12. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1534.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.