Description of Indicator
This indicator measures the cancer death rate per 100,000 residents in the three counties and Pennsylvania, adjusted for age.
Why is it important?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the nation. Many lifestyle and genetic factors contribute to cancer diagnoses, including tobacco use and unsafe or prolonged sun exposure. Tracking data and trends is important to determine the health status of the community, the strain on health resources, and the economic impact of a less healthy population.
How is the region performing?
The number of deaths from cancer increased among all three counties from 2022 to 2023. However, in the last ten years, the rates of death caused by cancer dropped significantly in Wayne County (by 15.8 percent) and Luzerne County (by 13.9 percent). From 2013 to 2023, the three counties overall had a higher average cancer death rate than Pennsylvania. In the most recent year analyzed, Lackawanna County had a higher cancer death rate than the other counties.